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Before you read the below article wonderfully uploaded by BYU, please note that I'll summarize the main difference here.
Note to Administrators: I have searched on this site for a good hour or so before attempting to look at college websites for a guide. Every single thread has a "don't feed the troll" or "You need to search." This made it very frustrating for me, and as such I wanted to find the difference and post it. If you'd like to slap your name on it, and sticky it I think it'd benefit the whole community.
Thanks for reading the summary, and i'll get on with the whole article posted by http://byu.edu
MD vs. DO
There are two types of degrees to become a physician in the U.S.—an MD (allopathic) degree and a DO (osteopathic) degree. Most people are more familiar with MD physicians, especially in the west. This is most likely because they represent only 6 percent of more than 61,000 DO physicians in the U.S. There are 131 allopathic medical schools and 29 osteopathic medical schools, with most osteopathic schools in the east.
Similarities
DO and MD physicians are alike in that they both utilize scientifically-accepted methods of diagnosis and treatment, including the use of prescription drugs and surgery. Educational requirements are similar in that both degrees require four years of medical school and a residency program of three to seven years. In most instances, DO and MD physicians are examined by the same state licensing board, therefore licensure for both are based on the same requirements and the same or comparable examinations. Both types of physicians are licensed to practice all phases of medicine in every state in America, and both are found in every specialty of medicine. The premedical pathway is identical for both allopathic and osteopathic schools, requiring premedical coursework (which varies slightly from school to school), the MCAT, and a bachelor’s degree.
Differences
While there are many similarities between osteopathic and allopathic physicians, there are also some important differences. First of all, the osteopathic philosophy differs from the allopathic philosophy. The osteopathic philosophy focuses on a holistic approach to practicing medicine, meaning treating the patient as a whole—not just the symptoms or injuries. This holistic approach acknowledges that all the body systems are interconnected and that the musculoskeletal system is especially important in reflecting and affecting the condition of all the other systems. Osteopathic schools require up to 200 hours of manipulation training on top of the medical coursework, demonstrating the emphasis placed on the musculoskeletal system. This training teaches students manual therapy and manipulation techniques, adding another tool to traditional forms of diagnosis and treatment to effectively care for patients.
Around 65 percent of DO physicians practice in primary care whereas the majority of MD physicians specialize. Many DO physicians practice in rural settings as primary care physicians, while MD physicians tend to stay close to metropolitan areas where there are more specialty positions available. However, there are MD and DO physicians in different environments all over the country. Currently, more medical applicants apply to allopathic schools than osteopathic schools, resulting in higher admission criteria for allopathic medical schools (refer to the MD and DO statistics handouts for more information) and DO schools use a different application service. Additional information regarding AMCAS, AACOMAS, and TMDSAS can be found in our office handouts.
MD and DO students and residents take different licensure exams, but both are important in determining factors for acceptance to residency programs. MD students take the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), while DO students take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). DO medical students can apply to MD residency programs and are most competitive for those in primary care. While there are DO physicians in all sorts of MD residencies, it may be more difficult to get into a top MD residency program in a very competitive residency specialty as a DO. Some MD residencies will accept COMLEX board scores, while others require DO students to take the USMLE on top of taking the COMLEX. Many MD residencies don’t’ regard the manipulation training as relevant to their specialty.
Refer to the MSAR and www.aamc.org/students/start.htm for more information regarding allopathic medicine or the Osteopathic Medical College Information Book and www.aacom.org for more information regarding osteopathic medicine.
- Osteopathic schools require up to 200 hours of manipulation training on top of the medical coursework, demonstrating the emphasis placed on the musculoskeletal system.
- The osteopathic philosophy focuses on a holistic approach to practicing medicine, meaning treating the patient as a whole—not just the symptoms or injuries.
- Schooling besides the difference posted above, is the same.
Note to Administrators: I have searched on this site for a good hour or so before attempting to look at college websites for a guide. Every single thread has a "don't feed the troll" or "You need to search." This made it very frustrating for me, and as such I wanted to find the difference and post it. If you'd like to slap your name on it, and sticky it I think it'd benefit the whole community.
Thanks for reading the summary, and i'll get on with the whole article posted by http://byu.edu
MD vs. DO
There are two types of degrees to become a physician in the U.S.—an MD (allopathic) degree and a DO (osteopathic) degree. Most people are more familiar with MD physicians, especially in the west. This is most likely because they represent only 6 percent of more than 61,000 DO physicians in the U.S. There are 131 allopathic medical schools and 29 osteopathic medical schools, with most osteopathic schools in the east.
Similarities
DO and MD physicians are alike in that they both utilize scientifically-accepted methods of diagnosis and treatment, including the use of prescription drugs and surgery. Educational requirements are similar in that both degrees require four years of medical school and a residency program of three to seven years. In most instances, DO and MD physicians are examined by the same state licensing board, therefore licensure for both are based on the same requirements and the same or comparable examinations. Both types of physicians are licensed to practice all phases of medicine in every state in America, and both are found in every specialty of medicine. The premedical pathway is identical for both allopathic and osteopathic schools, requiring premedical coursework (which varies slightly from school to school), the MCAT, and a bachelor’s degree.
Differences
While there are many similarities between osteopathic and allopathic physicians, there are also some important differences. First of all, the osteopathic philosophy differs from the allopathic philosophy. The osteopathic philosophy focuses on a holistic approach to practicing medicine, meaning treating the patient as a whole—not just the symptoms or injuries. This holistic approach acknowledges that all the body systems are interconnected and that the musculoskeletal system is especially important in reflecting and affecting the condition of all the other systems. Osteopathic schools require up to 200 hours of manipulation training on top of the medical coursework, demonstrating the emphasis placed on the musculoskeletal system. This training teaches students manual therapy and manipulation techniques, adding another tool to traditional forms of diagnosis and treatment to effectively care for patients.
Around 65 percent of DO physicians practice in primary care whereas the majority of MD physicians specialize. Many DO physicians practice in rural settings as primary care physicians, while MD physicians tend to stay close to metropolitan areas where there are more specialty positions available. However, there are MD and DO physicians in different environments all over the country. Currently, more medical applicants apply to allopathic schools than osteopathic schools, resulting in higher admission criteria for allopathic medical schools (refer to the MD and DO statistics handouts for more information) and DO schools use a different application service. Additional information regarding AMCAS, AACOMAS, and TMDSAS can be found in our office handouts.
MD and DO students and residents take different licensure exams, but both are important in determining factors for acceptance to residency programs. MD students take the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), while DO students take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). DO medical students can apply to MD residency programs and are most competitive for those in primary care. While there are DO physicians in all sorts of MD residencies, it may be more difficult to get into a top MD residency program in a very competitive residency specialty as a DO. Some MD residencies will accept COMLEX board scores, while others require DO students to take the USMLE on top of taking the COMLEX. Many MD residencies don’t’ regard the manipulation training as relevant to their specialty.
Refer to the MSAR and www.aamc.org/students/start.htm for more information regarding allopathic medicine or the Osteopathic Medical College Information Book and www.aacom.org for more information regarding osteopathic medicine.
