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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 Provide Something Extra
> 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.
Today osteopathic physicians continue to be on the cutting edge of modern medicine. D.O.s are able to combine today's awesome medical technology with the tools of their ears, to listen carefully to their patients; their eyes, to see their patients as whole persons; and their hands, to diagnose and treat injury and illness.
100 Years of Unique Care A.T. Still, Founder of Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic Philosophy
You are more than just the sum of your body parts. That's why doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) practice a "whole person" approach to medicine. Instead of just treating specific symptoms, osteopathic physicians concentrate on treating you as a whole.
Osteopathic physicians understand how all the body's systems are interconnected and how each one affects the others. They focus special attention on the musculoskeletal system, which reflects and influences the condition of all other body systems.
This system of bones and muscles makes up about two-thirds of the body's mass, and a routine part of the osteopathic patient examination is a careful evaluation of these important structures. DOs know that the body's structure plays a critical role in its ability to function. They can use their eyes and hands to identify structural problems and to support the body's natural tendency toward health and self-healing.
Osteopathic physicians also use their ears to listen to you and your health concerns. Doctors of osteopathic medicine help patients develop attitudes and lifestyles that don't just fight illness, but help prevent it, too. Millions of Americans prefer this concerned and compassionate care, and have made DOs their doctors for life.
Osteopathic Education
To become an osteopathic physician an individual must be a graduate of an osteopathic medical school. Each school is accredited by the Bureau of Professional Education of the American Osteopathic Association. This accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Postsecondary Education. Typically, applicants to osteopathic colleges have a four-year undergraduate degree, and complete specific science courses. Applicants must take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Osteopathic medical schools also require a personal interview to assess the student's interpersonal communication skills.
The osteopathic curriculum involves four years of academic study. As a reflection of the osteopathic philosophy, the curriculum emphasizes preventive medicine and holistic patient care. Medical students learn to use osteopathic principles and techniques for diagnosis and treatment of disease throughout the curriculum.
After completing osteopathic medical college, DOs serve a one-year internship, gaining hands-on experience in internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, family practice, pediatrics and surgery. This experience ensures that osteopathic physicians are first trained as primary care physicians even if they plan to pursue a specialty. The internship provides every DO with the perspective to see and treat every patient as a whole person.
Many DOs then choose to take a residency program in a specialty area, such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, radiology or pathology. A residency typically requires from two to six years of additional training.
Osteopathic Colleges in Arizona
Arizona hosts two Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine:
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine: Founded in 1995, the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine is one of the newest of the nation's colleges of osteopathic medicine. Its innovative curriculum emphasizes the early introduction of clinical experience that focuses on primary care. In response to society's need for physicians, AZCOM prepares students in the experiences needed to serve in rural and underserved urban communities.
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KCOM -- The Arizona School of Health Sciences:The Arizona School of Health Sciences is a regional campus of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM). KCOM is a private, not-for-profit institution and the founding college of the osteopathic profession. It has been involved with educating and training primary care physicians for more than 100 years. KCOM's commitment is to provide high-tech, high-touch osteopathic primary care physicians to serve the family.
Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association
The mission of the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association is to promote universal acceptance of our diverse and unique provision of high quality health care; to serve our members and the public; to encourage outstanding education for students, interns, residents and osteopathic physicians; to educate the public and the legislature; and to promote leadership in the health care arena.
AOMA has 800 members--active, retired,associates, interns, and residents. AOMA is an AOA Continuing Medical Education sponsor that offers more than 50 hours of category 1-A CME credits per year at the Fall Seminar and the Annual Convention.
For those of you not living in Arizona, there are Osteopathic Physicians in every state and in many other countries. Click here to find a D.O. in any other state.
Other Aquadoc Web Sites
Want to learn more? Search Amazon.com for books on Osteopathic Medicine.
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