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I've posted a similar comment in the "Make your views known..." thread, but I think it's important to reiterate it here:
I get the strong feeling that if we had an "M" somewhere in our designation, we would not have to spend our valuable time writing letters to the media every time they make a mistake.
The public automatically interprets "M" as physician, so instead of always having to verbally explain how DOs and MDs are legally equivalent, why not let the letters speak for themselves? Personally, I think "MDO" sums us up nicely and would prevent these types of problems.
Dr T: "Hi, I'm Dr T, what seems to be the trouble today?"
Patient: "Well Doc.. hey wait a minute, what the hell is an MDO?! I want a REAL doctor!"
Dr T: "Shutup foo! I am a doctor!"
I say leave it as is and continue expanding until everyone and their sloth that they have tied up in the basement know what a DO is, or allow usage of MD,DO (or DO,MD whatever floats your boat) to signify that you are a US trained doctor of osteopathic medicine (this would also allow people to discern between "osteopaths" and "doctors of osteopathic medicine"). It also wouldn't require explanation of yet another new set of initials, and it doesn't involve "losing our identity".
Now back to the expanding part. When I say expanding I don't mean just building McSchools. "Expanding" should encompass residencies and the such EVERYWHERE in the country, not just the states whose highest point could easily be leaped over. Where is the west coast residency love?