Do you know the difference between D.O. and M.D.?

Selecting a primary care physician is one of the most important choices facing Americans today. This choice directly impacts you and your family. There are numerous qualified physicians to chose from. And making the best decision can be difficult. Many Americans are not aware that there are two types of physicians, M.D. (medical/traditional doctor, also know as an allopathic physician) and D.O. (osteopathic physician). Both M.D.s and D.O.s are fully qualified physicians licensed to perform surgery and prescribe medicine in all 50 states. There are many similarities, with a few distinct differences between the two types of skilled physicians.

The Difference

M.D.s

  • M.D.s are the most common type of doctors in this country. Over 90% of practicing physicians are M.D.s.
  • M.D.s tend to specialize in a particular field of medicine.
  • M.D.s tend to look for physical symptoms first, then look at emotional issues of the patient
  • M.D.s usually focus on curing disease or illness with the use of medications.
  • M.D. programs are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)

Medical studies date back prior to the sixteenth century. One of the first medical schools in this country was the University of Pennsylvania (formerly the College of Philadelphia) founded in 1765. M.D.s tend to study the most traditional forms of medicine and medical procedures. Many of the primary philosophies for physicians in Europe and the United States viewed the body as being comprised of distinctive and functionally separate parts. These philosophies emphasized treating disease symptoms through drugs and surgery.

D.O.s

  • D.O. programs are accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
  • D.O.s have a “whole person” approach to healthcare. Instead of treating symptoms, osteopathic physicians concentrate on treating the patient as a whole. This means that other factors such as home, work, and family life are strongly considered when making a diagnosis.
  • D.O.s focus special attention on normal body mechanics and the musculoskeletal (both the muscular and skeletal system) system, which comprises two-thirds of the body’s mass.
  • Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive healthcare and the theory that the body is inherently capable of healing itself.
  • D.O.s are trained to be generalist first, and a specialist second. The majority of D.O.s are primary care physicians.
  • Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is incorporated into all D.O. training and practices. With OMT physicians use their hands to diagnose injury and illness. OMT encourages a body’s natural tendency towards good health.

Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, M.D. developed osteopathic medicine, in 1874. Still was dissatisfied with 19th Century medicine and believed that many of the medications that were being prescribed during that time were useless or even harmful. He believed that the human body had an inherent ability to heal itself. Still felt that physicians could promote better healthcare by ensuring that the musculoskeletal system was in perfect alignment as possible. Still developed many manipulative techniques and philosophical medicine that was similar to, but separate from, allopathic medicine/traditional medicine. These techniques minimized or even eliminated any obstructions in blood to lymph flow in the body, thereby creating a healthier body. This is the basis of OMT. M.D.s are eligible to take osteopathic courses. A number of M.D.s have become very proficient at practicing osteopathy in conjunction with their other specialized training.

D.O.s and M.D.s both

  • Require applicants that apply to D.O. or M.D. colleges to have a four-year undergraduate degree, typically with an emphasis on scientific courses.
  • Complete four years of basic medical education.
  • Choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine after medical school.
  • Complete a residency program that requires an additional average of 2-7 years of training.
  • Complete a fellowship (1-3 years) to study a particular specialization further, i.e. gastroenterology, child and adolescent psychiatry, etc.
  • Are required to take state licensing exams.
  • Practice at fully accredited and licensed healthcare facilities.

According to the Little Blue Book Companies, there are currently 18,636 practicing D.O.s and 357,214 practicing M.D.s in the United States. D.O.s are one of the fastest growing segments of healthcare providers. More than 1 million patients visit D.O.s each year. Today most healthcare physician networks have many registered D.O.s in their roster. Because there are some many similarities between M.D.s and D.O.s, and they are both experienced and educated physicians, many Americans have a D.O. as their primary care physician and don’t even realize it.

Devon Health Services Inc., the Northeast’s most extensive Preferred Provider Organization and National Healthcare Cost Management Company, offers its members access to over 9,000 D.O.s, and over 100,000 thousand M.D.s. M.D.s and D.O.s are both qualified skilled physicians that can help determine the needs of patients. PPO Networks such as Devon Health Services realize the value in healthcare options, and can give consumers optimal choices when deciding which type of doctor is best suited to fit their needs.

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