An M.D. is a physician, a medical doctor educated in medical school. A D.O. is a doctor of osteopathy, educated in an osteopathic school. Historically, the osteopaths learned skills in manipulation of the body as a treatment for musculoskeletal conditions in addition to more traditional medical and scientific coursework. They had separate licensing requirements and separate hospitals.
DOs and MDs are alike in many ways:
* Applicants to both DO and MD colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on science courses.
* Both DOs and MDs complete four years of basic medical education.
* After medical school, both DOs and MDs can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine—such as psychiatry, surgery, obstetrics, or sports medicine—after completing a residency program (typically two to six years of additional training).
* Both DOs and MDs must pass comparable state licensing examinations.
* DOs and MDs both practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers.
* Both are medical doctors; MD is specifically Doctor of Medicine and DO is Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
What Makes DOs Different?
* DOs can perform surgery, child delivery, treat patients, and prescribe medications in hospitals and clinic settings.
* DOs look at the "total person." Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive care. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, they look at the whole body.
* DOs receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, which is comprised of the nerves, muscles, and bones. This training gives DOs a better understanding of how an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect another part of the body; therefore, DOs have a therapeutic and diagnostic advantage.
* DOs use what is called osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). OMT is a technique in which the DOs use their hands to diagnose injury and illness, giving special attention to the joints, bones, muscles, and nerves. Manipulations improve circulation, which in turn, creates a normal nerve and blood supply, enabling the body to heal itself.