MD vs. DO

[chipmunk73]

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What is the big difference between the two besides the fact that MD is tougher to get and more "prestigous"? 😕 I thought I knew the difference but when family or friends ask me...I find it hard to explain.

 

[BellyDancingDoc]

1) OMM
2) a more holistic philosophy
3) empasis on encouraging you into primary care specialties
4) ability to do your residency in a DO-only program

 

[etf]

wait, it took 57 posts to get to this?

 

[Pinkertinkle]

I think the difference is something like 6-7 points on the MCAT.

 

[bigdog8829]

pretty much what everyone said is true.
OMM for sure. the holistic approach im not quite so sure how they incorporate that into the cirriculum or what they do. i'll be at a do school next year so i'll let you know. i find it hard to believe that they can teach medicine on the basis of a whole 'new' philosophy when the majority of people don't; it leads you to wonder how much 'better' it is. i'd say its not. equal is more like it.
it is less prestigous i guess, but in the end the type of dr. you are will determine your prestige more than the letters.
its also harder to land some residencies esp. in very competitive specailties. you reallly need to be the ****.
in the long run i'd venture to say close to nothing is different.
and yes, do schools do put out more primary care residencies by % of class than md schools.

 

[JackofAllTrades]

I think the difference is something like 6-7 points on the MCAT.

 

[spicedmanna]

First of all, OP, realize that this thread is

Second, check out these resources:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=133066

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=240220

Third, assuming you are not a

, try shadowing actual DO's and asking them.

 

[Dr.Inviz]

 

[StringerBell]

1) OMM
2) a more holistic philosophy
3) empasis on encouraging you into primary care specialties
4) ability to do your residency in a DO-only program

It's pretty awesome that someone actually posted a straight answer and worked with the assumption that the OP is not a troll and asking a serious (if somewhat naive) question. Kudos to you, BDD!

I think the difference is something like 6-7 points on the MCAT.

Heh, either that, or 0.6-0.7 points on one's GPA.
(Me = 2.9, 34 MCAT)

 

[spicedmanna]

What is the big difference between the two besides the fact that MD is tougher to get and more "prestigous"? 😕 I thought I knew the difference but when family or friends ask me...I find it hard to explain.

You are finding it hard to explain because the differences in approach are relatively minor these days and there is essentially no difference in practice. If you look at the history of medicine, you'll see where and how the two schools, Allopathic and Osteopathic, parted ways and how the two are now converging. Basically, these days it's all about practicing medicine to a common standard of care. However, historically, there were the tenets of Osteopathy, based on the work of Dr. A. T. Still, the founder of Osteopathic medicine, that provided stated commitments on the sound practice of medicine. DO schools do produce more primary care physicians than MD schools, and reportedly are committed to serving the medically-underserved. Osteopathic schools do tend to emphasize preventive care and clinical skills from a biopsychosocial approach, although these elements are not at all exclusive to Osteopathy in the modern practice of medicine. At the end of the day, what remains distinctive of Osteopathic medicine is OMM ("hands-on" medicine, manipulation and palpation skills), and a historical foundation of focusing on nurturing wellness/wellbeing of patients through the manipulation of the neuromusculoskeletal system and assisting the body in healing itself, in addition to the appropriate use of medication, instead of the more traditional emphasis on the use of medication only to treat and manage disease. OMM/OMT is an extra modality in which to diagnose and treat patients and to encourage wellbeing; to me, it's very basic medicine. Unfortunately, OMT is not used frequently any more.

 

[SupergreenMnM]

Most of the differences involve your residency options. Check out Kenneth Iserson's 'Getting into a Residency', most current edition from your local library. That will explain things in more detail than you'll probably want.

 

[EEK]

I applied to both this year. I'll give you my general impression:

In terms of training there is little difference (except the Osteopathic Manipulation stuff). In the past there was a major difference, but due to the need/want for national accreditation - everything has pretty much been standardized.

DOs school are much younger, and new school continually arise. I don't know what this means in terms of the school's merit. But there are some DO schools that have an established reputation, such as KCOM (Kirksville).

Many DO schools are private... so will be very expensive.

DO training is normally emphasized towards family medicine. DOs will tell you otherwise (if you talk to them) but I think the requirement of OMM says it all. I mean, what use is manipulation in surgery... really...

And related to specializing... residency is where the major difference is. My understanding is that DOs have their own residency programs - mostly focusing on family medicine but ranging in a wide variety of fields. DOs can apply to most allopathic residency programs, but most will require students to take at least one allopathic board test (USMLE). This is on top of the osteopathic boards you need to take (COMLEX).

What I'm trying to say is this... if you want to do Family medicine or rural medicine, DO school is great. If you want to specialize... you will be doing twice the work to get to the same place as a MD student. So it's not so great. But if you have no other options and need a second chance (like me), it's a good option.

 

[Taus]

chipmunk...click on the search function and type in your exact thread title...you'll find more information then you know what to do w/.....if you wade through the crapload of mis-information you'll find some solid posts

 

[Dr JPH]

DOs get more girls. 👍

There are other advantages as well.

For instance...


You learn how to find the nipples

You learn how to use peoples backs as musical instruments

Umbilical lint removal techniques

Your patients wear sports bras

Osteopathic CPR is different...

So is our Heimlich maneuver

You learn wrestling moves too

We have our own gang signs (careful flashing these)

And most importantly, our founder had a huge bone (or so the ladies would say)

 

[Kuba]

I mean, what use is manipulation in surgery... really...

I ready a study that talked about the post-op improvement of patients that were treated with OMT. The data was quite impressive.

DOs can apply to most allopathic residency programs, but most will require students to take at least one allopathic board test (USMLE). This is on top of the osteopathic boards you need to take (COMLEX).

I don't know about most.. but it can certainly be an advantage provided you do well on USMLE

If you want to specialize... you will be doing twice the work to get to the same place as a MD student.

that's a bit of an exaggeration..

 

[gary5]

DO will teach you that you can cure a stroke by chewing on a root. 😀

 

[Dr JPH]

DO will teach you that you can cure a stroke by chewing on a root. 😀

No dummy, thats homeopathy.

🙄

The ignorance around here is astounding!

 

[Tired]

No dummy, thats homeopathy.

I thought it was naturopathy.

Or maybe those are the same thing.

 

[Dr JPH]

I thought it was naturopathy.

Or maybe those are the same thing.

Eh, could be.

I think naturopathy says eat the entire root.

Homeopathy says dilute the root to unmeasurable concentrations then drink the root.

 

[Pansit]

What is the big difference between the two besides the fact that MD is tougher to get and more "prestigous"? 😕 I thought I knew the difference but when family or friends ask me...I find it hard to explain.

It's easy to explain it:

Allopathic and Osteopathic schools are pretty much similar (except OMM). Osteopathic schools are just a little bit easier to get in (numbers wise) and both paths will give you a chance at a residency of your choice and become a fully licensed physician...that usually gets people over pretty quickly, you can continue on with the philosophy..etc but people dont really care too much into that👍

 

[UIC Killa]

No dummy, thats homeopathy.

🙄

The ignorance around here is astounding!

OMG...I was asked during my interview if I knew what Homeopathy was and I didnt know...I guess the interviewer wanted to make sure I knew exactly what osteopathic medicine was and not have it confused with homeopathy...after a few tense seconds, the second interviewer luckily spoke up for me and said that nobody really knows what that is and told him to move on...whew!...I knew my osteopathy well, but homeopathy?...but i looked it up right after the interview and I was very happy to find out it had nothing really to do with osteopathic medicine

 

[Tired]

Eh, could be.

I think naturopathy says eat the entire root.

Homeopathy says dilute the root to unmeasurable concentrations then drink the root.

Nice.

Now if only I can figure out which one will cleanse my chakra.

 

[Critical Mass]

Hazelton and Tired, thanks for bringing some levity to an otherwise overdone debate.

 

[OCPreMed]

A big difference between a DO school and an MD school is USUALLY MD schools have a focus on basic research.. thats why they are ranked highly and have 'prestige'. DO schools don't do research for the overwhelming majority..


thats why no one know will know about a great DO school but everyone knows about an MD school.. also Overwhelming majority of DO schools don't have an undergrad.. hence no research focus...

but yayayayyayaya

 

[45408]

I think the difference is something like 6-7 points on the MCAT.

flawless

 

[Kuba]

Eh, could be.

I think naturopathy says eat the entire root.

Homeopathy says dilute the root to unmeasurable concentrations then drink the root.

 

[gary5]

I got it. DO teaches you to cure a stroke by rubbing a root on the patient's back, to realign it.

It also teaches you that you can cure asthma, otitis media, menstrual pain, and pulmonary infection, with manipulation of the spine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteopathy#Scope_of_manual_therapies

Then, if that doesn't work, chew on a root. 😀

 

[Dr JPH]

Hazelton and Tired, thanks for bringing some levity to an otherwise overdone debate.

Thank you for bringing your avatar to this thread.

😀

 

[ocwaveoc]

I think the difference is something like 6-7 points on the MCAT.

No, it's more like 4-5 points. Don't exaggerate.

 

[Dr JPH]

A big difference between a DO school and an MD school is USUALLY MD schools have a focus on basic research..

Misconception.

Your average DO school does as much reasearch as you average MD school.

Remember...basic science education for an MD school and a DO school are identical, so the basic science faculty are the same as well.

NIH and DoD grants are just as common at DO schools, as are rabbit/pig/primate research labs, clinical trials and even public health projects.

If you look at the top 20 ranked schools in the country they are all MD schools with large research endowments. After that the numbers fall dramatically.

So again, your typical private DO school is in line with your typical private MD school in terms of research.

👍

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Misconception.

Your average DO school does as much reasearch as you average MD school.

Remember...basic science education for an MD school and a DO school are identical, so the basic science faculty are the same as well.

NIH and DoD grants are just as common at DO schools, as are rabbit/pig/primate research labs, clinical trials and even public health projects.

If you look at the top 20 ranked schools in the country they are all MD schools with large research endowments. After that the numbers fall dramatically.

So again, your typical private DO school is in line with your typical private MD school in terms of research.

👍

ORLY?
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/award/rank/medttl05.htm

 

[Dr JPH]

ORLY?
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/award/rank/medttl05.htm

Nice. And how many of those schools are public? Lots n lots. 👍

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Nice. And how many of those schools are public? Lots n lots. 👍

Your claim that NIH grants are just as common at osteopathic schools is completely false.
Look at the follow chart available from the NIH that lists in order off ammount of funding all institutions that receive NIH funding. The first osteopathic school mentioned (Philadelpha COM) is ranked somewhere in the 2000's, way way below any private MD school.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/award/trends/Rnk_05_All.xls

Maybe you could provide some proof of your claim?

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Nice. And how many of those schools are public? Lots n lots. 👍

Public schools probably get less NIH funding on average than private schools, btw.

 

[Dr JPH]

Flex em! Flex those allopathic muscles! Yeah! Do it!

 

[Dr JPH]

Public schools probably get less NIH funding on average than private schools, btw.

PCOM gets the majority of their funding from private donors. You wont find them listed on the NIH sites. 👍

 

[Pinkertinkle]

PCOM gets the majority of their funding from private donors. You wont find them listed on the NIH sites. 👍

Riiiight... donors like Howard Hughes Osteopathic Institute

 

[Dr JPH]

Riiiight... donors like Howard Hughes Osteopathic Institute

Damn, I forgot. DOs dont make that much money. And 107 years worth of graduates, friends and community support doesnt add up to much. My math was all wrong apparently. But then again, if I could go the math I would be at an MD school wouldnt I?

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Damn, I forgot. DOs dont make that much money. And 107 years worth of graduates, friends and community support doesnt add up to much. My math was all wrong apparently. But then again, if I could go the math I would be at an MD school wouldnt I?

Yeah it's a good thing MD graduates donate money every year so their schools can do research without the help of that bogus National Institutes of Health.

 

[Dr JPH]

Yeah it's a good thing MD graduates donate money every year so their schools can do research without the help of that bogus National Institutes of Health.

Eh...you cant blame the MD graduates. We all know why they went to medical school anyway. Money, cash, hoes.

Not like us DOs. We went for more altruistic purposes.

Both of my research projects are privately funded. Didnt even bother with the NIH.

 

[GreenShirt]

Normally I can't stand the tone of JP's posts, but I had to say this one had me LOLing pretty hard. There is a sense of humor underneath all that crustiness.👍

DOs get more girls. 👍

There are other advantages as well.

For instance...

You learn how to use peoples backs as musical instruments

......................
And most importantly, our founder had a huge bone (or so the ladies would say)

 

[Dr JPH]

GreenShirt. We are now BFF

 

[Pinkertinkle]

No, it's more like 4-5 points. Don't exaggerate.

How about 5-6? See I can compromise.

 

[GreenShirt]

GreenShirt. We are now BFF

I'll get us BFF necklaces....like the ones where each of us has half a heart!😉

 

[Dr JPH]

I'll get us BFF necklaces....like the ones where each of us has half a heart!😉

Only if youre a chick.

 

[Critical Mass]

Thank you for bringing your avatar to this thread.
😀

I do what I can. I don't know when I'll ever use this new smiley, so this seems as good a place as any...



After my next exam block, I plan to make a small slideshow avatar that features all of my recent beauties.

MD better than DO:

MD vs. DO:

 

[GreenShirt]

Does anyone find Critical Mass's mixing of overtly sexual avatars, explicit subtitles, with Harry Potter referencing signatures a little.......strange? Rated R meets PG-13.

 

[Critical Mass]

Now this is a post that could easily be R-rated if you substitute a couple of words here and there:

I got manipulated at the doctor's office yesterday for the firt time. I pipette all day so I usually have tension in my shoulder. At the office I didn't feel the pain until the dr. poked his finger in a spot on my shoulder. He kept his finger in the spot and pushed my shoulder over it and held for 90 sec. The spot started to get warm and went from stiff to mushy under his finger. It felt better while he was doing it...

I hope that your "shoulder" is feeling better.

I once told a female on SDN that my normal mating ritual includes the following:

😛 🙂 😛 😀 😛 😛 😱 😴

Too racy?

Sorry to get off-topic.

Has anybody mentioned the point about licensure in other countries?

 

[GreenShirt]

Now this is a post that could easily be R-rated if you substitute a couple of words here and there:



I hope that your "shoulder" is feeling better.

Great, now I feel dirty about my post (LOL). Don't get me wrong, I enjoy raunchy. I just couldn't help pointing it out the contrast when you signed w/ the Harry Potter references earlier. No offense meant.

 

[p9142]

As I have stated in other threads, I believe that the DO degree is the same as the MD for all practical purposes. The major drawback that I see with DO schools is that they are expensive, and most of their students do primary care. More debt + primary care is not a good thing if you ask me.