What is the differnce in a person with an MD and a person with a DO?

Question

Do they go to a different school of medicine, can they do the same thing.

Answer 1

What is the difference between an M.D. (allopathic) and D.O. (osteopathic) physician?

There are two types of physicians: M.D.—Doctor of Medicine—and D.O.—Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. M.D.s also are known as allopathic physicians. While both M.D.s and D.O.s may use all accepted methods of treatment, including drugs and surgery, D.O.s place special emphasis on the body’s musculoskeletal system, preventive medicine, and holistic patient care. D.O.s are more likely than M.D.s to be primary care specialists although they can be found in all specialties. About half of D.O.s practice general or family medicine, general internal medicine, or general pediatrics.

Both D.O.s and M.D.s typically have a four year undergraduate degree prior to medical training.
Both D.O.s and M.D.s have spent four-years in medical education. Both take the MCAT and are subject to a rigorous application process. Historically, D.O. schools are more open to the non-traditional candidate.
D.O.s, like M.D.s, choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine and complete a residency program ranging from 3-7 years. Some D.O.s complete the same residency programs as their M.D. counterparts.
M.D. students take the USMLE exam and D.O. students take the COMLEX exam . Both must pass a state licensing examination to practice medicine.
D.O.s perform surgery, deliver children, treat patients, prescribe medications and work in the same settings as M.D.s. D.O.s use the same tools, treatments and technologies of medicine as M.D.s.
D.O.s recieve extra training in the musculoskeletal system, which make up the nerves, muscles and bones of a person.

As for me -- give me a naturopath or Osteopath any day!!!

Answer 2

Recently I was treated by a Neurosurgeon and noticed most of his residents were D.O.'s. They were involved directly in all three of my spinal surgeries over the period of 6 weeks, I spoke to several about why DO and not MD. They each mentioned at the top of their lists that they were able to have MORE patient contact and a level of bedside manner that Md's don't take the time for. Also, they are able to manipulate as a Chiropractor does, and those of us who believe in Chiro., this is a definite plus. Yet my MD surgeon was kind, caring and considerate as were they. Of course, I am speaking from the recipient end of the matter.

Pam

Answer 3

The degrees are doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) and they probably went to different medical schools. However, both are doctors.

The MD would be considered a 'traditional' doctor, where the DO usually looks at the body and its illnesses/injuries from a holistic point of view.

Answer 4

M.D. goes to college for 8 to 16 years depends on the field they are going into.
O.D. is a Dr. of medicine and studies the inter part of the body to help heal from the inside out. M.D. covers the whole body inside and out so it is up to the person if they want what kind of dr

Answer 5

MD is for medical doctor
DO is for doctor of osteopathy

The DO can do stuff like a chiropractor.

Answer 6

I assume you mean DO as not "Doctor of Optometry" but Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

DOs tend to use less invasive treatments than MDs.

Answer 7

DO (doctor of osteopathy - bones) is a chiropractor - no prescriptions.
MD is what most people think of when they hear the word "doctor" - prescribing penecillin, taking temperatures, turn your head and cough, you've got appendicitis we've got to get you to surgery.

Yeah, different schools. MD is harder.

Answer 8

md- has a doctorate in medacine hence a medical doctor
do. is a doctorate in anything ie(education,theology,science,etc)
doctorate is a level of education in a chosen field

Answer 9

The type of medical school they were accepted into. They can do the same thing.