Just curious how many DO's or DO students actually post in the pscyh forum?
Obviously I have love for all my psych peeps, just wondering how many are from the osteopathc school of thought.
P.S. the AOA responded yesterday -- see below:
https://www.do-online.org/files/mc_countdownresp.pdf
June 26, 2007
Keith Olbermann, Host MSNBC
1 Msnbc Plz.
Secaucus, NJ 07094-2419
Dear Mr. Olbermann,
I am extremely disappointed by the misrepresentation of osteopathic medicine in the story "Paris is almost out!," which aired June 22 on MSNBC's show, "Countdown with Keith Olbermann." The segment begins with you sharing inaccurate information about Paris Hilton's psychiatrist when you say, "Radar magazine (is) reporting Dr. Charles Sophy is not a medical doctor but rather an osteopath, a doctor of osteopathy focusing on alternative treatments." This statement implies Dr. Charles Sophy, who is an osteopathic physician (D.O.), is not a real physician when in fact D.O.s are fully licensed physicians who work side-by-side with M.D.s.
This report on your popular news show has frustrated D.O.s across the country. Perhaps you did not see the updated item from Radar magazine which includes a deeper explanation of osteopathic medicine and Dr. Sophy's background, as well as clarifies that D.O.s and M.D.s do in fact receive similar training.
D.O.s are complete physicians who can prescribe medicine, perform surgery and practice in any of the medical specialty areas, including psychiatry. Both D.O.s and M.D.s complete four years of medical education followed by graduate medical education through such programs as internships and residencies. However, osteopathic physicians receive additional training in the musculoskeletal system. Osteopathic manipulative treatment, or OMT, enables D.O.s to evaluate and treat illness and injury with their hands.
Another important distinction is D.O.s do not focus on "alternative treatments." Rather, they treat people, not just symptoms. Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, an M.D. and D.O. who founded osteopathic medicine more than 130 years ago, helped pioneer the concept of "wellness." In today's terms, D.O.s evaluate each patient's lifestyle factors, such as smoking, stress and high blood pressure and focus on getting to know their home and work lives. In coordination with prescribing appropriate medical treatment, D.O.s serve as teachers to help patients take more responsibility for their well-being.
Misconceptions about D.O.s are a result of a lack of education. Your inaccurate comments further contribute to the public's confusion about the service D.O.s provide. At this time, I am asking that you issue a correction. This could be an opportunity to provide correct information about osteopathic medicine as well as educate your viewers about the role of D.O.s in American health care.
Sincerely,
Peter B. Ajluni, D.O.
President
