If you're like most people, you've been going to a physician ever 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 there are two types of complete physicians in the United States.
The fact is that both D.O.s and M.D.s are fully qualified physicians licensed to prescribe medication and perform surgery. Is there any difference between these two kinds 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. medical colleges typically have four-year undergraduate degrees with an emphasis on scientific 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 obtain graduate medical education through such programs as internships and residencies. This training
typically lasts three to six years and prepares D.O.s and M.D.s to practice a specialty.
- Both D.O.s and M.D.s can choose to practice in any specialty area of medicine-such as pediatrics, family practice, psychiatry, surgery or obstetrics.
- D.O.s and M.D.s must pass comparable examinations to obtain state licenses.
- D.O.s and M.D.s both practice in fully accredited and licensed health care facilities.
- Together, D.O.s and M.D.s enhance the state of health care available in America.
- D.O.s, however, belong to a separate yet equal branch of American medical care. It is the ways that D.O.s and M.D.s are different that can bring
an extra dimension to your family's health care.
- Osteopathic medical 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 health care.
- 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 your body mass.
This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of the ways that an illness or injury in one part of your body can affect another.
- Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is incorporated into the training and practice of osteopathic physicians. With OMT, osteopathic physicians use their hands
to diagnose illness and injury and to encourage your body's natural tendency toward good health. By combining all other available medical options with OMT, D.O.s offer
their patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today.
- Developed 130 years ago by physician A.T. Still, osteopathic medicine is one of the fastest growing healthcare professions in the U.S. and brings a unique philosophy
to traditional medicine. With a strong emphasis on the inter-relationship of the body's nerves, muscles, bones and organs, doctors of osteopathic medicine, or D.O.s,
apply the philosophy of treating the whole person to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness, disease and injury.
The Arkansas Society of the ACOFP Annual Conference is fast approaching. March 3rd-7th at the Harrah's Resort and Casino in Tunica, Mississippi. There will be lots of activities for All of our participants. The AOMA will be offering 25 Category 1-A CME credits. This will include Speciality hours for Speciality Specific Credit. If you are interested in having direct contact to a large group of doctors, look into our exhibiting opportunities and feel free to contact us with any questions. If you're wondering wether or not exhibiting is for you, we have exhibits from all forms of products and services: Lawyers, Pharmaceutical, Jewelry stores, Medical Equipment, Hotels, crafts, Insurance, etc... For questions about the conference hit the Contact Us tab at the top right of the page. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there!