Many people wonder, “What kind of doctor is a D.O.?” and “Is their training comparable to an M.D.?” The answer is straightforward: a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) is a fully licensed physician in the United States. Like Doctors of Medicine (M.D.s), D.O.s complete extensive medical training, but with an added emphasis on a holistic approach to patient care and the musculoskeletal system.
Both D.O.s and M.D.s attend medical school, although D.O.s attend osteopathic medical schools, while M.D.s attend traditional medical schools. Despite this difference in schooling, the postgraduate training for both types of doctors is remarkably similar. After medical school, both D.O.s and M.D.s must complete residency programs in their chosen specialties, which can range from family medicine to surgery. Furthermore, they are required to pass the same licensing examinations to become practicing physicians, allowing them to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication to patients.
The primary distinction lies in osteopathic medicine’s unique philosophy, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of the body’s systems. A key aspect of this approach is osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). OMT involves hands-on techniques to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. D.O.s are trained in manual medicine, using their hands to move a patient’s muscles and joints to promote healing and overall wellness. This manual medicine component can be integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan.
In conclusion, D.O.s are highly qualified doctors who are trained to provide complete medical care. While they share the rigorous medical education and licensing requirements of M.D.s, D.O.s bring an additional dimension to their practice through their training in osteopathic manual medicine and a focus on treating the patient as a whole. Whether you choose to see a D.O. or an M.D., you can be confident you are receiving care from a thoroughly trained and licensed medical professional.
References:
- What is a D.O.? American Osteopathic Association https://osteopathic.org/what-is-osteopathic-medicine/what-is-a-do/. Accessed Oct. 27, 2022.
- Roberts A, et al. Osteopathic manipulative medicine: A brief review of the hands-on treatment approaches and their therapeutic uses. Medicines. 2022; doi:10.3390/medicines9050033.
- Chin J, et al. Assessing the knowledge of the osteopathic profession in New York City’s Easter European communities. Cureus. 2022; doi:10.7759/cureus.21664.
