MD vs DO

[Sharky]

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If anyone gets accepted to both types of schools, which type would you pick and why? It seems like simply because the MD degree is much more widely recognized and prestigious most people would opt for it if they did have the opportunity. What would the advantage be to pick DO over MD besides the OMT option?

 

[BooBooBear]

Originally posted by Sharky:
•It seems like simply because the MD degree is much more widely recognized and prestigious most people would opt for it if they did have the opportunity.•

While your question is a fair one, it is also laced with presumption.... there are far more MDs and allopathic schools in the world than DOs and osteopathic schools. If you look at the major media (ie television), most doctors are thought of as being MDs. It all contributes to a public perception.... which really needs to change.

So to answer your question... "why become an osteopathic physician?" Besides the OMT skills, the answer is both simple and complex. The simple side of it is that most allopathic schools (traditionally) teach you to approach your patient and their illness in a certain way.... The stereotype being the doctor that is so focussed on the illness that they forgot they were relating to a human being. If you were to poll thousands of patients, you would probably lose count of the number of times this occurred. The complex side of it is that allopathic schools are changing and trying to teach their young physicians more balance, but change comes slowly and with lots of growing pains.... not to mention, that not all allopathic medicals schools are even making the effort.

In contrast, most (to varying degrees) osteopathic schools teach their physicians the importance of the doctor-patient relationship. This is further emphasized by the fact that new DOs do a general internship which is intended to ground them in basics of good medicine before they specialize.

So for the above reason AND the fact that OMT is a unique skill that gives me more versatility as a physician, I would choose a DO school over an MD school.

If there are any other opinions or insights, I would love to hear them. 😀

 

[grahmcracker]

Right on, Booboo! 😀

 

[muonwhiz]

Isn't anyone tired of this endless thread? It invariably leads to people postulating (based on opinion only) that one branch of the medical profession is inferior to the other for some reason. This topic has been discussed to death. Check out some of the archives if you just can't stand it and have to read all of the tired old arguements on both sides. Some people like chocolate, others like vanilla. Live and let live, and give this a rest.

 

[grahmcracker]

The reason why this can't be given a rest is the following: Everyday, someone new learns what a DO is. That means for the thousands or millions unfamiliar with the professional title, they will want to know what distinguishes DO from MD.

More power to growth, learning and the advancement of DO's.....and their philosophy...integrated systems of health and disease. The more MD's that embrace this philosophy, the better our healthcare system will be for everyone.

It is not a putdown in any form. It is an enhancement. 😀

 

[JJKMS]

As if there aren't enough threads with this question on it. You just had to go start your own!

ATTENTION: THE HORSE IS DEAD!!! Stop beating it!!!