Why does DO exist?

[Goro]

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If MD and DO schools merged under the LCME, DO schools that met LCME standards would be able to dictate whatever standards their environment and pockets afforded. PCOM, being in a nicer area, could afford to be more competitive than some MD schools with a full merger. The irony is that AOA/COCA is holding its own gems back so that they can milk $ off of every Osteopathic student by making them take the COMLEX and learn OMM. I don't understand why anyone (outside of OMM enthusiasts) are defending Osteopathic leadership. They're really the ones holding DOs back, not the MD governing bodies. The reasons aren't political. Refer to Med Ed's list of quality standards most DO schools (not students) don't meet. They're legitimate concerns. My friends at DO schools hardly interact with residents on rotations. Some schools (like maybe LECOM/PCOM/TCOM) do and their students will come on here and will truthfully state their experiences are different.

Again, the only change will come from the inside. No amount of complaints or valid, no matter how accurate, will make a difference. At a minimum, force schools to confirm to more of the standards that Med Ed posted.

 

[Med Ed]

But the generally lower MCAT/GPA and more forgiveness for a weak start to college, I feel like all DO schools have more room for that than even the more forgiving MD programs? I also think multiple MCAT's are handled differently by DO schools. ( I think it's newest, not average, but I'm not sure).

I believe that’s done more out of necessity than desire.

 

[Goro]

I believe that’s done more out of necessity than desire.

So do a lot of state MD schools!

 

[Redpancreas]

Again, the only change will come from the inside. No amount of complaints or valid, no matter how accurate, will make a difference. At a minimum, force schools to confirm to more of the standards that Med Ed posted.

I didn't read the whole thread carefully before I posted (now I did and agree with many of your points), but you said at the beginning that the AMA refused to acknowledge the Osteopathic profession as a contributory reason for a lack of a merger and I made my post to refute that notion and state it was because Osteopathic leadership wants to tie OMM principles to their compulsory work (board exams, required curriculum) instead of Lawper's idea which is essentially decoupling the two which the Osteopathic leadership doesn't want for financial reasons.

While you're right that my post does nothing, I think it needs to be expressly clear to future DO students what exactly their obstacle to equality is, and it's their own organizations, not the AMA. And that's not to shame the students themselves...but to direct their voices.

 

[Goro]

I didn't read the whole thread carefully before I posted (now I did and agree with many of your points), but you said at the beginning that the AMA refused to acknowledge the Osteopathic profession as a contributory reason for a lack of a merger and I made my post to refute that notion and state it was because Osteopathic leadership wants to tie OMM principles to their compulsory work (board exams, required curriculum).

Well, to clarify, my post covered 1890 to about 1975. So comments were more of historical note, which explains the development of these two parallel sanctioning bodies/systems. But for today, you are 100% correct.

In addition, don't underestimate the degree of Kool-Aid imbibement that the True Believers who run the AOA engage in. You know... the "We're special BUT different! But we're also the same!"

 

[Redpancreas]

Well, to clarify, my post covered 1890 to about 1975. So comments were more of historical note, which explains the development of these two parallel sanctioning bodies/systems. But for today, you are 100% correct.

In addition, don't underestimate the degree of Kool-Aid imbibement that the True Believers who run the AOA engage in. You know... the "We're special BUT different! But we're also the same!"

K, we're on the same page. Honestly, I'd take on the issue with full-force and bluntness, but I have the M.D. (I can actually say that now :shivers:🙂). I could see why D.O. physicians in AOA residencies feel unsafe confronting administration, but what about the ones who have ACGME residencies?

 

[DrMcCoyDO]

I could see why D.O. physicians in AOA residencies feel unsafe confronting administration, but what about the ones who have ACGME residencies?

Yup, four more years before I can comfortably voice my opinion of the AOA publicly and without anonymity.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

In addition, don't underestimate the degree of Kool-Aid imbibement that the True Believers who run the AOA engage in. You know... the "We're special BUT different! But we're also the same!"

Like seriously though. It’s pretty impressive some of the mental gymnastics that get put on display

 

[mwsapphire]

I believe that’s done more out of necessity than desire.

Necessity? I'm pretty sure there are enough high stats applicants to DO schools that the medians could be higher than they are.

Like it's been said before, anyone with a 3.25+ sci GPA can handle med school, it's not like taking someone with a 3.4-3.5 is settling in any way? Or are you referring to the wayyy low stats ( like 3.0 gpa and 498 MCAT).

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Necessity? I'm pretty sure there are enough high stats applicants to DO schools that the medians could be higher than they are.

Like it's been said before, anyone with a 3.25+ sci GPA can handle med school, it's not like taking someone with a 3.4-3.5 is settling in any way? Or are you referring to the wayyy low stats ( like 3.0 gpa and 498 MCAT).

Not necessarily. The "better" schools have higher GPA/MCAT averages (on-par or higher than low-tier MD) because more people want to go to them. Newer schools want to make money so they accept people with sub-500 scores and low GPAs. DO schools can't target super high stat applicants, though, because no matter what anyone tries to say, in the current climate everyone applies DO as a backup. If they raised their admission standards and only accepted people with 3.6+ GPAs and 505+ MCATs, a lot of those people would end up getting accepted to and matriculating at MD schools at the end of the cycle, leaving DO classes empty --> pulling from the waitlist --> lower stat applicants.

Don't get me wrong, I'm super grateful to be going to med school and I don't care what letters I end up with after my name, but just due to the differences in matching etc., pretty much everyone would go MD over DO if given the chance.

Until there is true parity, most DO schools will continue to admit students with lower stats than MD schools, with the exception of the more established schools and schools in unlucky states (like Cali).

 

[Goro]

Not necessarily. The "better" schools have higher GPA/MCAT averages (on-par or higher than low-tier MD) because more people want to go to them. Newer schools want to make money so they accept people with sub-500 scores and low GPAs. DO schools can't target super high stat applicants, though, because no matter what anyone tries to say, in the current climate everyone applies DO as a backup. If they raised their admission standards and only accepted people with 3.6+ GPAs and 505+ MCATs, a lot of those people would end up getting accepted to and matriculating at MD schools at the end of the cycle, leaving DO classes empty --> pulling from the waitlist --> lower stat applicants.

Don't get me wrong, I'm super grateful to be going to med school and I don't care what letters I end up with after my name, but just due to the differences in matching etc., pretty much everyone would go MD over DO if given the chance.

Until there is true parity, most DO schools will continue to admit students with lower stats than MD schools, with the exception of the more established schools and schools in unlucky states (like Cali).

Believe me, plenty of the older schools want to make money as well (I'm talking to you, LECOM). But in addition to your observation, many applicants are simply leery of brand new schools. This happens with MD schools as well.

 

[John1513]

Why do D.O.s exist???

Ask a Marine who has been cared for by a D.O.

You don’t know what you don’t know.

Something may be outright obvious to a D.O. that is not to another “provider.”

Look guys, obviously Osteopathic Physicians are doing SOMETHING right otherwise we wouldn’t even exist.

MDs have something to learn from DOs.

Pre Meds have no clinical experience to base their doubts on “Why DOs exist.”

It isn’t “we are same but different...”

It is “we can do everything you guys can do but more...and we are willing to teach bc ultimately it is about the patients.”

Guys remember... it is more that wackin’ backs and crackin’ Necks — we are not chiropractors.

There is great value in having OPP interwoven throughout the entire formative Med school experience - from cardiology to OBGYN to pharmacology to histology.

Ideally, one day, MD schools take the best that DO schools have to offer and graft it (OPP) into standard Med school education.

Ultimately it is about the patients.

 

[GrumpyMS]

People should read "The DOs: Osteopathic Medicine in America" before talking crap about it. That's why nautropaths are there.

 

[RNtoMD87]

You last two posters completely misunderstood my question. Since both MD and DO are essentially identical now, except for limitations on residency availablility for DO, I just wondered why they weren't all MD schools.

The politics were explained above for me, anc now I understand.

 

[NontradCA]

Why?

 

[Lawpy]

No ma’am, MD and DO are not essentially the same.

To say so indicates that you still do not grasp what DOs bring to the table.

Yes a leopard and a cheetah are both felines but they are not the same

Win chun and boxing are both a form of martial arts and you use your arms mainly but they are not the same

I think you are making some vague and arbitrary distinction just to show a difference exists even though there is no difference between the two in reality

 

[Instatewaiter]

I always wonder if DO/ MD schools merged, would their admissions philosophies merge as well?
Hmmmm

( Sorry I know I know I have so many questions but it's just.so.interesting)

Do you really think that there are really different admissions philosopies or do you think that MD schools have a more talented pool of applicants from which to choose?

Those AdCOMs at Harvard, Hopkins, or Yale don't discount non-traditionals and the like. Their applicant pool is just full of candidates who are perfect academically. Having met some of these students, they don't have fewer ECs, fewer interesting stories, or fewer hardships, they have these things in addition to spotless academic records and perfect MCAT scores. So, no there really is no major difference in admission philosophies between Top schools, other MD schools, DO schools. Each set just has a different caliber of applicant.

 

[Instatewaiter]

There is great value in having OPP interwoven throughout the entire formative Med school experience - from cardiology to OBGYN to pharmacology to histology..

Yup OMM is supper helpful for cardiology. Last week I tried some cranial on a guy having a STEMI. His headache improved significantly... he immediately stopped complaining. Now it might also have been because he VF'ed and died.

 

[mwsapphire]

Do you really think that there are really different admissions philosopies or do you think that MD schools have a more talented pool of applicants from which to choose?

Those AdCOMs at Harvard, Hopkins, or Yale don't discount non-traditionals and the like. Their applicant pool is just full of candidates who are perfect academically. Having met some of these students, they don't have fewer ECs, fewer interesting stories, or fewer hardships, they have these things in addition to spotless academic records and perfect MCAT scores. So, no there really is no major difference in admission philosophies between Top schools, other MD schools, DO schools. Each set just has a different caliber of applicant.

I always thought MD schools value numbers over all else and DO schools will take decent ( but not great) numbers if you have the rest of you app in order? Like an MD school may take someone with a 517 MCAT and weak EC's, but a DO school will take someone with a 502 MCAT and kickass EC's that an MD program won't take?

I though that was what people said on here. I thinkkkk @AnatomyGrey12 said something like that, and he is at a DO school.

 

[Mad Jack]

power, money, and politics

 

[Instatewaiter]

I always thought MD schools value numbers over all else and DO schools will take decent ( but not great) numbers if you have the rest of you app in order? Like an MD school may take someone with a 517 MCAT and weak EC's, but a DO school will take someone with a 502 MCAT and kickass EC's that an MD program won't take?

I though that was what people said on here. I thinkkkk @AnatomyGrey12 said something like that, and he is at a DO school.

All schools will have some students with low scores who get in because of great ECs. However what constitutes low scores for schools differs. For Hopkins, those low scores may be a 510 on the MCAT and a 3.75 GPA.

 

[John1513]

Yup OMM is supper helpful for cardiology. Last week I tried some cranial on a guy having a STEMI. His headache improved significantly... he immediately stopped complaining. Now it might also have been because he VF'ed and died.

OPP is osteopathic principles and philosophy... it is not synonymous with OMM. Nice try though

 

[DrMittens]

" in the current climate everyone applies DO as a backup" can we just stahppppp with this comment that I see repeated on SDN everywhere... Not ALL DO's apply as a back up geeze. I applied only DO and I should not have to justify to pre meds/med students my choice. Stop looking down on us DO students that chose this path. You dont know us, why we made our decision, or what our backgrounds are. You dont speak for me so just please stop assuming that all of us are using this rout as a back up.

WE ARE NOT ALL MD REJECTS so please just stop implying that this is the "best we could do" I am damn proud to be going DO

 

[DrMittens]

Not necessarily. The "better" schools have higher GPA/MCAT averages (on-par or higher than low-tier MD) because more people want to go to them. Newer schools want to make money so they accept people with sub-500 scores and low GPAs. DO schools can't target super high stat applicants, though, because no matter what anyone tries to say, in the current climate everyone applies DO as a backup. If they raised their admission standards and only accepted people with 3.6+ GPAs and 505+ MCATs, a lot of those people would end up getting accepted to and matriculating at MD schools at the end of the cycle, leaving DO classes empty --> pulling from the waitlist --> lower stat applicants.

Don't get me wrong, I'm super grateful to be going to med school and I don't care what letters I end up with after my name, but just due to the differences in matching etc., pretty much everyone would go MD over DO if given the chance.

Until there is true parity, most DO schools will continue to admit students with lower stats than MD schools, with the exception of the more established schools and schools in unlucky states (like Cali).

Please see my above post. You dont know me and other DO's Please stop spreading the false notion that all of us going DO are just MD rejects.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

WE ARE NOT ALL MD REJECTS so please just stop implying that this is the "best we could do" I am damn proud to be going DO

Please see my above post. You dont know me and other DO's Please stop spreading the false notion that all of us going DO are just MD rejects.

Lol. Ok, 98% of DO students are MD rejects. Is that a better statement for you?

 

[MareNostrummm]

Lol. Ok, 98% of DO students are MD rejects. Is that a better statement for you?

Sad but true. At interview day my school even told us there was a stigma but they would do their best to let us go where we want to go.

 

[DrMittens]

You know this from all the DO's you have met, worked with, and applicants you have talked to? or just get that vibe from all the SDN forums? I find making blanket statements about a group of people never seems to be accurate and it indicates a bit of ignorance and prejudice. But hey, I am sure you have a better handle on the real world out there than I do. What do I know, I have only been on this earth for 35 years.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

You know this from all the DO's you have met, worked with, and applicants you have talked to? or just get that vibe from all the SDN forums? I find making blanket statements about a group of people never seems to be accurate and it indicates a bit of ignorance and prejudice. But hey, I am sure you have a better handle on the real world out there than I do. What do I know, I have only been on this earth for 35 years.

Yes actually... you are extremely ignorant if you think the majority of DO students are there because that was their choice.

 

[DrMittens]

Sad but true. At interview day my school even told us there was a stigma but they would do their best to let us go where we want to go.

Many people even at MD schools dont get to go where they want to go. And if you dont get placed there for residency then you bust butt as an attending and apply for a job in the area you want to be in. If you are a good doctor thats what matters in the real world.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

If you are a good doctor thats what matters in the real world.

Completely irrelevant statement...

 

[DrMittens]

yeah.... I guess you showed me man with all those facts and figures how we all are just rejects. Guess I didnt get the memo when I applied, nor my friends. Must be an age thing. I just dont care what some Pre meds/med kids think... cant think outside their own little bubble and realize that medical students come from a wildly diverse background with many different life circumstances than the cookie cutter applicant everyone wants to be. I'll talk to you in a few years when you have DO colleges and see you you feel then

 

[Lawpy]

yeah.... I guess you showed me man with all those facts and figures how we all are just rejects. Guess I didnt get the memo when I applied, nor my friends. Must be an age thing. I just dont care what some Pre meds/med kids think... cant think outside their own little bubble and realize that medical students come from a wildly diverse background with many different life circumstances than the cookie cutter applicant everyone wants to be. I'll talk to you in a few years when you have DO colleges and see you you feel then

Help me understand how your posts answer OP’s questions? I think you’re arguing against a random statement made in passing.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

yeah.... I guess you showed me man with all those facts and figures how we all are just rejects. Guess I didnt get the memo when I applied, nor my friends. Must be an age thing. I just dont care what some Pre meds/med kids think... cant think outside their own little bubble and realize that medical students come from a wildly diverse background with many different life circumstances than the cookie cutter applicant everyone wants to be. I'll talk to you in a few years when you have DO colleges and see you you feel then

First, nice ad hominem. Second, you have yet to say one relevant thing to the fact as to why the statement, “most DO students could not get into an MD school” is false. The entrance data backs this... Third, I am a DO student so the argument, “I’ll talk to you when you have DO colleagues” is completely irrelevant. I have most likely talked to more DOs in the last 2 weeks than you have your whole life.

 

[DrMittens]

I pre

Help me understand how your posts answer OP’s questions? I think you’re arguing against a random statement made in passing.

I previously addressed OPs orig Q on page two of this thread.

 

[mwsapphire]

yeah.... I guess you showed me man with all those facts and figures how we all are just rejects. Guess I didnt get the memo when I applied, nor my friends. Must be an age thing. I just dont care what some Pre meds/med kids think... cant think outside their own little bubble and realize that medical students come from a wildly diverse background with many different life circumstances than the cookie cutter applicant everyone wants to be. I'll talk to you in a few years when you have DO colleges and see you you feel then

Nobody is saying DO's aren't proud of themselves, but everyone knows MD has better opportunities. Anatomy himself had just said ( in another thread) that he's proud to be a DO, but MD offers more opportunities.

 

[DrMittens]

First, nice ad hominem. Second, you have yet to say one relevant thing to the fact as to why the statement, “most DO students could not get into an MD school” is false. The entrance data backs this... Third, I am a DO student so the argument, “I’ll talk to you when you have DO colleagues” is completely irrelevant. I have most likely talked to more DOs in the last 2 weeks than you have your whole life.

First off the self hating DO is real with this one. And you have talked to more DO colleges than I have in my whole life... doubt it. again with the assumptions. I get it, you know people. cool.

and I was addressing fldoctorgirl post above when I was commenting on the blanket statements that we are all MD rejects and Anatomy hppped in with a snarky comment

 

[DrMittens]

Lol. Ok, 98% of DO students are MD rejects. Is that a better statement for you?

I mean I had not even addressed Anatomy- I was referencing another posters comment. So honestly just dont be snarky about it

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

First off the self hating DO is real with this one. And you have talked to more DO colleges than I have in my whole life... doubt it. again with the assumptions. I get it, you know people. cool.

Lol so now stating facts is “self hating.” 🤣

 

[mwsapphire]

Lol so now stating facts is “self hating.” 🤣

The best part if you're literally a DO student so it's not like you have any reason to hate DO's you're literally just saying it's making your life a little tougher when it comes to residency ( or a lot tougher, depending on the specialty, yada yada).
Like it may make sense to get huffy if you were an MD student but I mean you're literally...another...DO student...

 

[Lawpy]

I pre

I previously addressed OPs orig Q on page two of this thread.

​

You did? Because as a reminder, OP's original post was this:

From my understanding MD and DO are in essence the same thing. DO has manipulative therapy, but some MD programs teach this as well. Some DOs never utilize it, and some MDs implement it.


Why do separate licenses that do the same identical thing still exist? Just something I've wondered.

And your replies were the following, with the bolded statements emphasizing the equivalence between MDs and DOs, along with a strong argument that initials after your name don't matter. ​

For everyone saying that DO was viewed as a pseudoscience...you do understand that the birth of DO was brought around because Dr. Still saw medicine during that time causing more harm than good? Medicine during that time practiced by MD wasn't the same medicine today. There was a lot of snake oil, bleeding of the humors and other practices that often led to death rather than wellness. I feel like people forget that DO's take the same courses as MD's and take the same national licensing boards for their specialties...If you pass these boards you are qualified and the path you chose to get there should be a non -issue.

posted too soon. In addition, once in the real world your colleges are not going to give two hoots about where you went to school or what initials you have after your name as long as you pull your weight in your group, are a competent physician, and are not a total prick to work with. Honestly I only see people making a big deal out of DO vs MD are pre meds and medical students. Source- Husband is a physician and I come from a family of both MD and DO.

DO schools pedal an amazing medical education that each year sees thousands of competent physicians graduate and go on to do amazing things. If you are waiting for someone to hand out respect and opportunity you will be waiting a while. You need to go out and prove yourself as a competent physician and make your own name for your self. Why are you hinging your self worth on what others think of you? In the medical field you need a thick skin as regardless of DO or MD you will often find patients, other attendings, and even administrators are slow to dole out the respect. There are techniques still taught in MD schools that are not all evidence based either but have just been done because that is what has always been done. shrug.. I am aware that there are some things taught that are sketch but you can just ignore it and move on. If you are an amazing and driven student you are going to go out and find opportunities. Nothing will be handed to us in life and I for one am not going to wait around to be patted on the head and told by some MD that they respect me.

So basically, you're arguing that MD and DO are functionally equivalent in practice and the degree doesn't matter in practice. But OP already knows that. He's just not sure why there are two degrees if they both lead to the same career?

I also want to point out OP's recent comments on the matter:

You last two posters completely misunderstood my question. Since both MD and DO are essentially identical now, except for limitations on residency availablility for DO, I just wondered why they weren't all MD schools.

The politics were explained above for me, anc now I understand.

So I'm not seeing how your posts are addressing OP's questions.

 

[RNtoMD87]

Exactly. I am not saying that there is any problem with DO's. I was simply stating it seems redundant. Most other certifications are different. LPN vs RN, MA vs CNA, etc. But I was asking why have two fields that do exactly the same thing. But I gained insight from some of the earlier answers on the thread.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

First off the self hating DO is real with this one. And you have talked to more DO colleges than I have in my whole life... doubt it. again with the assumptions. I get it, you know people. cool.

and I was addressing fldoctorgirl post above when I was commenting on the blanket statements that we are all MD rejects and Anatomy hppped in with a snarky comment

Lol, you are taking this hella personally. I never said anything about DO students being lesser than others. I'm going to DO school and I'm proud of it.
The fact of the matter is just that most people would go MD if given the shot because of the opportunities afforded to them. Obviously there are some exceptions to this, but mostly this is the case. I don't agree with it, and I don't think it's fair, but the current structure of our medical education affords better opportunities to those coming from MD schools. This isn't even a fact to be argued over.

Taking it personally and putting others down doesn't make your point more valid.... @AnatomyGrey12 is one of the most level-headed, realistic DO student posters on here. If you think he's a self-hating DO, you ain't seen nothing yet. Someone call Sab to this thread lol

 

[mwsapphire]

Lol, you are taking this hella personally. I never said anything about DO students being lesser than others. I'm going to DO school and I'm proud of it.
The fact of the matter is just that most people would go MD if given the shot because of the opportunities afforded to them. Obviously there are some exceptions to this, but mostly this is the case. I don't agree with it, and I don't think it's fair, but the current structure of our medical education affords better opportunities to those coming from MD schools. This isn't even a fact to be argued over.

Taking it personally and putting others down doesn't make your point more valid.... @AnatomyGrey12 is one of the most level-headed, realistic DO student poster on here. If you think he's a self-hating DO, you ain't seen nothing yet. Someone call Sab to this thread lol

--> He thinks that if you point out MD has more opportunities then you hate that you're going DO XD
--> Anatomy is literally a proud DO aiming for a specialty.
--> I think you mean.... @sab3156

 

[fldoctorgirl]

--> He thinks that if you point out MD has more opportunities then you hate that you're going DO XD
--> Anatomy is literally a proud DO aiming for a specialty.
--> I think you mean.... @sab3156

Yes I did mean him, didn't want to actually tag him and bring him in here lol 😉 Just kidding, I actually don't mind him too much, he's just a tad too negative for me

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

The only reason I would really prefer MD over DO is I'm worried about patients not knowing what a DO is, and getting misinformation (seeing as many premed people even have misinformation). Most RNs I work with don't even know what DO is.

I'd get tired of telling people I wasn't an optometrist or a bone doctor 😉

Literally have never seen a patient ask what a DO is or anyone have to clarify they are not an optometrist of bone doctor.

Your post in general gives off a terrible vibe. You're going to be a doctor and don't even know basic google?

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Could ACGME require its residencies not to accept COMLEX? And basically require all applicants to take USMLE to apply?

This misconception keeps existing. ACGME is no longer owned by MDs. It's now owned by both MD and DO with the DOs having about 1/4 to 1/3 ownership and leader roles inside of it. There is almost no way that they can pass a resolution that forbids COMLEX.

 

[RNtoMD87]

Ofcourse I know google. Google has plenty of misinformation such as sites indicating there is a huge difference in DO and MD when it comes to OMM. That's why myself and many others come to these forums and ask questions based off of google, and get shut down by people such as yourself, who then ask "Can't you google?" Which puts us in the very conundrum we arrived in.

Its easier to ask actual MDs and DOs in order to understand why. And it paid off, because earlier in this thread, the question was answered for me.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Yeah you’re right, there are probably only about 8 schools that would meet those criteria or be very close. That’s only ~20% of DO schools and literally none of the new schools would even be in the right ballpark.

There are always ways around this stuff. Once the DO schools convert to MD, there will be enough state and big private universities eager to add them to their fold. There could be a scenario where DO schools have some "pseudo-merge" with other universities and regional hospitals. Just look at schools like the upcoming Cal Med using Arrowhead Regional or the CA Northstate school. They are basically osteopathic MD schools. A merge into MD could mean a lot of money and prestige in the end.

 

[John1513]

Exactly. I am not saying that there is any problem with DO's. I was simply stating it seems redundant. Most other certifications are different. LPN vs RN, MA vs CNA, etc. But I was asking why have two fields that do exactly the same thing. But I gained insight from some of the earlier answers on the thread.

Distinguished Colleagues:

@RNtoMD87 - you have written several times that to you, MD and DO are exactly the same thing and seem redundant. I struggle with not sounding snarky or annoyed with this, thus I applaud your desire to better understand and gumption in asking questions.

To say that MDs and DOs are ‘exactly’ the same thing is not entirely accurate — allow me to explain:

MDs and (US trained) DOs both have the same practice rights - surgery, medications, procedures, full authority and accountability.

However, an F14 jet and an F35 are different, although both are basically fighter jets.

A Jeep and a Toyata 4Runner are different although both can be for off roading and are basically SUVs.

Try to see this - imaging telling a friend who is a Jeep fan that a Jeep is ‘basically the same’ as a RAV4?

Or, telling a loved one who is a Christian that they are basically the same as Tom Cruises’ Church of “Christian” Scientology?

Diversity in thought and perspective is one of the more nobler aspects of humanity.

Having Osteopathic Princples and Philosophy in the mainstream medical landscape via DOs is a benefit, not a detriment, to our collective patients.

Immature responses like doing cranial for someone with cardiac distress is a discredite to our Ostepathic Profession and Oath (“... I will not dishonor my profession...” right along with “.. I will do no Harm ...”) — @Instatewaiter

Thank you for asking the questions, and challenging us attending physicians and “true believers” to learn how to respond better.

Dig on!!

 

[RNtoMD87]

Thanks for the detailed response. I guess what is confusing for me is that some DO programs teach little OMM and some MD programs actively teach it. If OMM was a huge part of DO doctrine, I would understand the difference more. I am actually interested in learning more about OMM to decide whether it is something I want to further my knowledge in. I am a big believer in holistic and least invasive medicine so I strongly believe I would.