What does D.O. stand for? Like the doctors who aren't quite MDs....and what's the difference b/w DO and MD?

Question

thanks for answers. what about pay? who gets paid more (generally speaking)?

can DOs open up their own practice?

Answer 1

D.O.'S AND M.D.'S ARE DIFFERENT.
When the similarities between the two medical groups are discussed, the question is frequently asked: "Why two separate medical groups and schools of medicine?"

The reasons are numerous, but the main reasons are relatively simple.

Osteopathic medicine differs in terms of philosophy and its approach to the delivery of health. For example, osteopathic medicine places more emphasis on the consideration of the whole person in providing medical care and treatment. This is reflected by the large percentage of D.O.'s that enter family practice or the medical specialties involved in primary care medicine.

Over one-half of the D.O.'s are involved in primary care areas, such as pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology and internal medicine. Many osteopathic physicians fill a critical need for doctors by practicing in rural and medically underserved areas, reflecting the osteopathic tradition of bringing health care to areas of greatest need.

The growing public acceptance of osteopathic medicine and the increasing demand for health care by osteopathic physicians and surgeons indicates the public's desire for two organized groups of medicine.

Answer 2

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. It is like an MD- they still went to Medical School, just a different type. Osteopathic medicine takes a more holistic, less pharmaceutical approach to treatments. However, they are still doctors and can treat you just the same.

They are not exactly "the exact same" as the answer above claims. The training at a DO school is a little less intensive than at an MD school and they often prefer adjustments over surgery when possible... sort of like a chiropractor. Regardless, they ARE physicians and work at hospitals... they can issue prescriptions just as an MD can, order tests, etc. For most people, it doesn't matter which you go to see.

Answer 3

As others have said already Doctors of Osteopathy are trained under a slightly different model than MD's.(Doctors of Allopathy http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=33612 ) They go to medical school for the same number of years and have the same years of training of residency, take the same board exams, and can function completely independently, like having their own practice. I suspect that you have been treated by a DO and did not know the difference.

DO's can be found in virtually all specialties including surgical. In more recent years the fields of allopathy and osteopathy have borrowed from each other so that the sum total difference is not very much. Some DO's have training in bone manipulation not too different than chiropractors.

Mary is incorrect in that DO's can be and are surgeons. In the last 30 years, I have never heard of a DO not being accepted at a hospital as staff, including being chief of staff.
See the link below for more information.

Answer 4

The fact is that both D.O.s and M.D.s are complete physicians. They are both licensed to perform surgery and prescribe medicine in all 50 states.

Doctor of Osteopathy (often abbreviated D.O.) is a health professional that has earned a degree of Doctor of Osteopathy after studying and graduating from a course of study at an approved medical school.

Osteopathy is an approach to medicine that uses common medical procedures, but it places a greater emphasis on understanding the relationship between the organs, muscles, nerves, tissues, bones (such as those that surround the spine), and tendons, than traditional medical training does.

Answer 5

A DO is a doctor of osteopathic medicine. DOs are actually full-fledged doctors, just like MDs. They are licensed just like MDs and can perform surgery and prescribe medication just like MDs. They receive the same level and extent of education as MDs. However, DOs typically practice a more "whole person" approach to medicine, and often focus primarily on preventative healthcare. They also receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, which makes them great doctors when it comes to injuries.

Answer 6

D.O. stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. It's the same thing as M.D.... some schools just label it differently. MD is more common, but they're trained just the same!

Answer 7

Doctor of Osteopathy, and MD is Medical Doctor

Answer 8

D.O. mean doctor of osteopathic medicine
M.D. means medical doctor
Osteopathy emphasizes treatment by manipulation of the bones and muscles but includes all types of medical and physical
therapy. Both have to go to medical school and both are medical doctors.

Answer 9

shektbg is the only one who is right above me.

DO and MD are both medical doctors not chiropractors. DOs learn a more holistic approach to medicine.

Answer 10

doctor of osteopathy, hes like a chiropractor but he has gone to regular medical school as well as the courses that chiropractors do, md is medical doctor, thats your normal every day doctor.