Much Difference in M.D. and D.O. ?

Question

A friend of mine's child (a recently graduated pre med student) has an interview with a college to try to get into a doctor of osteopathic college program (a 4 yr program).
If gets accepted and graduates will she still be able to practice medicine like a M.D. ?
Any other comments ?

Answer 1

Doctor of Medicine (M.D. or MD, from the Latin Medicinæ Doctor) is an academic degree for medical doctors. It varies between countries, from being an entry-level professional degree that many doctors hold, to being a relatively rare higher doctoral research degree that very few doctors hold.



Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or D.O.s, apply the philosophy of treating the whole person (a holistic approach) to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness, disease and injury using conventional medical practice such as drugs and surgery, along with manual therapy (Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine or OMM).

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or D.O.s, apply the philosophy of treating the whole person (a holistic approach) to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness, disease and injury using conventional medical practice such as drugs and surgery, along with manual therapy (Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine or OMM).

As with Doctors of Medicine (M.D.s), D.O.s educated in the United States are fully licensed physicians and surgeons who practice the full scope of medicine. In other parts of the world, most D.O.s graduating outside the U.S. are not medically trained practitioners. Currently, there are 23 accredited D.O.-granting U.S. osteopathic medical schools[2] and 125 accredited M.D.-granting U.S. medical schools.[citation needed]

M.D. and D.O.-granting U.S. medical schools have similar curricula. Generally, the first two years are classroom-based, with certain programs providing patient contact, while third and fourth years consist of rotations through the different major specialties of medicine. Upon graduation, M.D. and D.O. physicians pursue residency training programs. Depending on state licensing laws, osteopathic physicians may also be required to complete a 1 year rotating internship. Osteopathic physicians also have the opportunity to pursue allopathic (M.D.) residency programs; however, the converse is not allowed. Within the U.S., osteopathic physicians practice in all medical specialties including, but not limited to, internal medicine, dermatology, surgery, radiology, etc. There is no distinction in pay between allopathic (M.D.) and osteopathic (D.O.) physicians, but physician salaries differ noticeably among the various medical specialties.

Osteopaths educated in countries outside of the U.S. do not follow the same curriculum as U.S. trained D.O.'s. Their scope of practice is limited mainly to musculoskeletal conditions and treatment of some other conditions using OMM and various alternative medicine methods, not unlike chiropractors.

In the United States, the M.D. is one of two basic medical degrees, one of which is required to practice medicine, the other being the D.O. degree (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). In Canada, the M.D. is the basic medical degree required to practice medicine; as well, in most provinces, the provincial college of physicians and surgeons grants practice rights to American-trained osteopathic physicians. There are no institutions in Canada that offer D.O. or comparable degrees; however, there are schools that train health practitioners in classical osteopathy.


What do you think?

Answer 2

First off, the guy above is wrong, and OD is an optometrist. There is really little difference between an MD and a DO. you have probably been seen by a DO and not even known it. Both are four year medical programs with two years of classes followed by two years of clinical rotations. Both degrees allow the practioner to enter any specialty he or she chooses. One difference is that the DO takes additional training in Osteopathic manipulative medicine, which involves musculoskeletal manipulations to treat health ailments. It is not based on chiropractic, but rather predates it. There is actually some arguements as to whether or not Daniel Palmer studied at the American School of Osteopathy prior to founding chiropractic. Anyway, The DOs have been traditionally taught to follow a more holistic-patient centered and preventative philosophy of medicine. However, the focus of the entire medical field has shifted this way, and we will likely see the differences between the two degrees diminish further. in fact, Only about 5% of DO's use OMM on a regular basis. It is difficult to do in today's healthcare practice because of time constraints and insurance billing.

Answer 3

I'm so surprised to such knowledgeable responses (no offense). I thought the public did not realize that there are two kinds of physicians. Great responses, all true and DOs and MDs both get to specialize in ANY field of medicine (general practice, family practice, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, etc.).

Answer 4

Both the MD and the DO are trained and liscensed to practice medicine in all 50 states. The differences between the two are a basic difference in the manner in which they view and treat illness and injury. I have worked with both types, and consider them to be equally capable, within the scope and limitations of their specialty training. A DO is trained more with a view of treating the whole person, rather than limiting their attention to just the injured part or illness. They tend to prefer to adjucate the patient's natural immune system, and support the natural healing process, than to simply cover up things with medications to cover symptoms. In other words, you won't get offered a lot of pain medication for the sprained ankle- but you will get instructions in helping it heal and preventing injury in future. DO's also get trained in what ordinary people would consider chiropractic manipulation- but to a much greater degree and with much more expertise. Because of this, a DO trained physician is a better choice for sports related injuries, or chronic musculo-skeletal problems than a traditional MD.
In treating illness, DO and MD physicians both can and do prescribe medications. DO's tend to rely less on antibiotics unless necessary, I did notice- as they prefer to support the body's natural immune response rather than wipe out all bacteria in attempts to kill the bad stuff. There is more evidence to support this view now, as there are more diseases becoming antibiotic resistant due to antibiotic abuses in the past.
After having worked most of my working career alongside both schools of training, I will tell you I personally prefer the DO trained physician. I prefer to have a doctor working with me, and treating me as a whole person, to restore my health or treat my injuries. I find their holistic approach to medicine much more sensible than the traditional MD approach. But aside from the difference in approach, both are equally qualified to treat people and practice medicine.

Answer 5

In 2006 there's very little difference between an MD and DO. A DO can do everything an MD can including private practice etc..

Answer 6

http://www.askdrwalker.com/index/What_is_a_doctor_of_osteopathic_.htm