Difference between MD and DO

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Hey everyone

I'm really curious as to what are the main differences between a MD and DO in their work and training? I've never heard of DO before (pardon me for my ignorance) until I came to this forum. I want only honest and accurate answers please, and don't want to create a verbal war between DOs and MDs since that seems to happen quite a lot between the different disciplines here; dentists vs doctors being of the popular ones (I'm a British trained dentist). All I know is that DO stands for "Doctor of Osteopathic" Thanks in advance.

 

[BadVB750]

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[DrChandy]

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[sga814]

Hey everyone

I'm really curious as to what are the main differences between a MD and DO in their work and training? I've never heard of DO before (pardon me for my ignorance) until I came to this forum. I want only honest and accurate answers please, and don't want to create a verbal war between DO and MD since that seems to happen quite a lot between between different disciplines here, dentists vs doctors being of the popular ones here (I'm a British trained dentist). All I know is that DO stands for "Doctors of Osteopathic" Thanks in advance.

go to http://aacom.org/om.html

Basically, DO= MD + training in manipulation ("hands-on" approach to disease by using more physical procedures aimed at relieving illness and less pharmaceuticals). Many DO's never end up using this so called "OMM" in their practices, and simply accept it as part of their training. However, stigma, if you will, exists with DO's because of it's obscurity (very interesting history though) and the fact that it is easier to be accepted to an osteopathic school, tend to view it as "less-then" a "real" doctor (MD), even though a DO can become a Neurosurgeon, for instance, just like an MD.

Hope that helps.

 

[tigress]

Basically, DO= MD + training in manipulation ("hands-on" approach to disease by using more physical procedures aimed at relieving illness and less pharmaceuticals).

That's not really a definition of manipulation by any means. OMM is related to chiropractics, actually "manipulating" the body in a way similar to chiropracters. Granted, I've never learned OMM so I can't explain it to you in minute detail. I also have an opinion about OMM in general, but like the OP said, we don't want to start any wars here. I just take issue with the above definition, as I do with the suggestion that DOs "treat the patient, not the disease," as if MDs do the opposite. In truth, training as an MD and a DO is almost identical in this regard.

I know and respect doctors who have the DO degree. A very good doctor at the clinic where I work is a DO. Even though I think the added portions of the DO education are essentially worthless (sorry, I don't know how else to put it), DOs get the same science and clinical training as MDs as well, and come out competent doctors just like MDs. (Look into the history of osteopathic medicine, also...you might find it interesting.)

So in practice, there isn't much difference. Actually, in my experience there isn't any difference. The practical differences are mainly that DO schools tend to have lower admissions stats (which is only an issue if you're a pre-med), and that in real life some areas of the country maintain slightly negative attitudes towards DOs compared to MDs. This can vary regionally, I think. I know very few people who would actually care if their doctor has a DO or an MD. The difference lies mainly, I think, in getting residency positions followed by job offers. So it's within the medical community more than without.

Ah, I think I may have just started a flame war. Totally not my intention. I have nothing against DOs as doctors, I promise. I only take issue with OMM (partially since actual studies tend to find most aspects of it bogus), and the claim that DOs are somehow better because they are more patient-focused.

 

[bigfrank]

Hey everyone

I'm really curious as to what are the main differences between a MD and DO in their work and training? I've never heard of DO before (pardon me for my ignorance) until I came to this forum. I want only honest and accurate answers please, and don't want to create a verbal war between DO and MD since that seems to happen quite a lot between between different disciplines here, dentists vs doctors being of the popular ones here (I'm a British trained dentist). All I know is that DO stands for "Doctors of Osteopathic" Thanks in advance.

Why did it take you 6 months to ask this question?

Something's fishy here.

 

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Why did it take you 6 months to ask this question?

Something's fishy here.

No, nothing is fishy here. I've been curious for quite sometime, but just thought that it might be a stupid question to ask until I came across a thread today, and it seemed like someone was having the same problem. So I'd thought I ask the question. I'm sure a lot of the people haven't heard of DO either, although I might be very wrong. So enlighten me 🙂

 

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Why did it take you 6 months to ask this question?

Something's fishy here.

No, nothing is fishy here. I've been curious for quite sometime, but just thought that it might be a stupid question to ask until I came across a thread today, and it seemed like someone was having the same problem. So I'd thought I ask the question. I'm sure a lot of the people haven't heard of DO either, although I might be very wrong. So enlighten me 🙂

 

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Hey sga814

Thanks for the website. It's quite informative.