What is a D.O. Or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

When looking for a physician, you may notice that some doctors have M.D. after their names and others have D.O. If the D.O. designation is unfamiliar to you, take the time to understand what it means before choosing a physician.

D.O. stands for doctor of osteopathy, while M.D. stands for medicinae doctor or doctor of medicine. D.O.s and M.D.s are similar in many ways. Both attend medical school, both complete internships and residencies, and both pass comparable state licensing exams. D.O.s and M.D.s often practice in the same clinics and hospitals. Further, despite the osteopathy designation, which might suggest that D.O.s are orthopedic specialists, in fact, they practice in all medical specialties and often are general practitioners.

Despite the similarities between D.O.s and M.D.s, osteopathy is a separate branch of medicine that was started in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, who was an M.D. and a D.O. While Dr. Still was well versed in science-based medicine, he believed that the best medical care should incorporate the concept of wellness not just treatment of disease or injury. His concept of wellness included preventative medicine and healthy living, such as a balanced diet and plenty of exercise. This "whole person" health care philosophy may sound fairly standard today, but was somewhat novel in the late 19^th century.

In addition to the training received by M.D.s, D.O.s receive advanced training in the muscular/skeletal system and how illness or injury in one area of the body can affect other parts of the body. They learn how all aspects of a patient's life, including home and work life, personal relationships, stress levels, use of tobacco and alcohol, and significant life changes, can affect health and how to incorporate this knowledge into treatment plans that include preventative as well as curative measures. Further, they are trained in osteopathic manipulative treatment or OMT, which includes techniques to manipulate the spine, similar to the techniques used by chiropractors.

Today, the difference between an M.D. and a D. O. is slight. Many M.D.s now take a "whole person" approach to medical care and include preventative care in their treatment plans for patients. At the same time, while D.O.s may take a more holistic approach to patient care, they also take full advantage of today's advanced medical technologies and techniques to ensure that their patients receive the best possible care.

Whether a doctor is an M.D. or D.O. should not be the overriding factor in choosing a doctor, but understanding the differences can be helpful when making this important decision.

Sources:

www.osteopathic.org, American Osteopathic Organization - What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

www.wisegeek.com, What is a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)?