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OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)?
If you're like most people, you've been going to a doctor since you were born, and perhaps were not aware whether you were seeing a D.O. (osteopathic physician) or an M.D. (allopathic physician). You may not even be aware that these are the only two types of complete physicians in the United States.
The fact is, both D.O.s and M.D.s are complete physicians. They are both licensed by state and specialty boards to perform surgery and prescribe medication. Is there any difference between these two types of physicians? Yes. And no.
D.O.s and M.D.s are alike in many ways:
- Applicants to both D.O. and M.D. colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on science courses.
- Both D.O.s and M.D.s complete four years of basic medical education.
- After medical school, both D.O.s and M.D.s can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine such as psychiatry, surgery, or obstetrics. They both complete a residency program, which takes typically two to six years of additional training.
- Both D.O.s and M.D.s must pass comparable state licensing examinations.
- D.O.s and M.D.s both practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers.
- D.O.s comprise a separate, yet equal branch of American medical care. Together D.O.s and M.D.s enhance the state of health care available in America.
- However, it's the ways that D.O.s and M.D.s are different that can bring an extra dimension to your family's health care.
D.O.s bring something extra to medicine:
- Osteopathic schools emphasize training students to be primary care physicians.
- D.O.s practice a "whole person" approach to medicine. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, they regard your body as an integrated whole.
- Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive healthcare.
- D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system - your body's interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of its body mass. This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of the ways that an injury or illness in one part of your body can affect another. It gives D.O.s a therapeutic and diagnostic advantage over those who do not receive additional specialized training.
- Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is incorporated in the training and practice of osteopathic physicians. OMT allows physicians to use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage your body's natural tendency toward good health. By combining all other medical procedures with OMT, D.O.s offer their patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today.
The information contained in this topic is based on current medical literature and on physician review. However, because an accurate medical diagnosis depends on many factors, including each patients unique medical history, the use of this information is not intended to replace the advice of your provider.
Link to American Osteopathic Association
www.aoa-net.org
Reviewed and Approved for publication by Moses Gallegos, DO
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