It’s common to see initials after a doctor’s name, such as M.D. or D.O., but what do these designations actually mean? Both Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.s) and Doctors of Medicine (M.D.s) are fully licensed physicians in the United States, qualified to diagnose, treat illnesses, and prescribe medication. Understanding the nuances between these two degrees can help clarify the landscape of medical professionals.
A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) earns their degree from an osteopathic medical school. This training emphasizes a “whole-person” approach to medicine, focusing on the interconnectedness of body systems and the influence of lifestyle and environmental factors on health. Osteopathic medical education includes comprehensive training in allopathic medicine — the same as M.D. programs — with additional training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). OMT is a set of hands-on techniques used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury by manipulating muscles and joints.
Conversely, a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) graduates from a traditional, or allopathic, medical school. M.D. programs provide rigorous training in medical specialties, surgery, and patient care, grounded in scientific principles and research-based practices. The focus is typically on diagnosing and treating diseases using medication, surgery, and other conventional medical treatments.
Despite their different educational paths, both D.O.s and M.D.s undergo comparable post-graduate training. After medical school, both types of doctors must complete residency programs in their chosen specialties, which can range from family medicine and pediatrics to surgery and cardiology. Furthermore, to become licensed and practice medicine, both D.O.s and M.D.s must pass the same national licensing examinations. This unified licensing process ensures that all practicing physicians, regardless of their degree, meet a common standard of competency and are qualified to provide comprehensive medical care.
In summary, while the training for D.O.s includes osteopathic principles and manual medicine techniques, both D.O.s and M.D.s are rigorously trained and licensed physicians. The choice between a D.O. and an M.D. ultimately comes down to patient preference and the type of approach they seek in their medical care. Both are fully qualified to provide excellent and comprehensive medical treatment.
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.
