Osteopathic Medicine By: Greg Doctor

What is a D.O.?  D.O. stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. DOs are very similar to M.D.s in a sense that they are certified doctors who may diagnose patients and prescribe medications.  DOs can specialize in all the same areas as MDs.  D.O. stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. DOs are very similar to M.D.s in a sense that they are certified doctors who may diagnose patients and prescribe medications.  DOs can specialize in all the same areas as MDs.

DO cont.  DOs traditionally focus more on preventative medicine and manipulative techniques, though generally utilize advanced treatments much like MDs.  The central dogma of osteopathy is reliance on the body’s innate ability to heal itself.  DOs are generally highly encouraged to practice in rural areas  DOs traditionally focus more on preventative medicine and manipulative techniques, though generally utilize advanced treatments much like MDs.  The central dogma of osteopathy is reliance on the body’s innate ability to heal itself.  DOs are generally highly encouraged to practice in rural areas

Education  DO school is very similar to MD school  4 years of undergraduate studies are required as well as 4 years of DO school, a residency and possibly a fellowship  Different specializations require varying degrees of post DO school education (e.g. residency, fellowship, etc)  DO school is very similar to MD school  4 years of undergraduate studies are required as well as 4 years of DO school, a residency and possibly a fellowship  Different specializations require varying degrees of post DO school education (e.g. residency, fellowship, etc)

Finances  The average cost of DO school is about $50,000/year though it ranges from about $40,000-$70,000  Scholarship or financial aid is often available  The salary of osteopathic physicians ranges from about $80,000 to over $300,000 depending on specialty  In general, osteopathic physicians earn the same amount as medical doctors of the same specialty  The average cost of DO school is about $50,000/year though it ranges from about $40,000-$70,000  Scholarship or financial aid is often available  The salary of osteopathic physicians ranges from about $80,000 to over $300,000 depending on specialty  In general, osteopathic physicians earn the same amount as medical doctors of the same specialty

Schedule  Osteopathic physicians work anywhere from 3-6 days/week depending on their work situation  For example: a doctor who owns his own practice may only work 3 days/week  On top of work, many DOs will be “on call” much of the week  When on call, a physician must always be reachable and ready to go to work in case of an emergency  Osteopathic physicians work anywhere from 3-6 days/week depending on their work situation  For example: a doctor who owns his own practice may only work 3 days/week  On top of work, many DOs will be “on call” much of the week  When on call, a physician must always be reachable and ready to go to work in case of an emergency

Professionalism  As with most health care professions, a background check as well as continued good behavior and legal standing is necessary.  Acceptance into a DO program is generally highly dependant on past volunteer work. Community involvement is highly encouraged.  As with most health care professions, a background check as well as continued good behavior and legal standing is necessary.  Acceptance into a DO program is generally highly dependant on past volunteer work. Community involvement is highly encouraged.

Questions  Do you know any osteopathic physicians?  How do you think osteopathy compares with standard western medicine?  If you wanted to be a doctor, would you want to be DO or MD?  Do you know any osteopathic physicians?  How do you think osteopathy compares with standard western medicine?  If you wanted to be a doctor, would you want to be DO or MD?