What Kind of Doctor is a D.O.?
Those abbreviations after a doctor's name can be confusing. If you've only seen medical doctors, or M.D.'s, in the past, you may be wondering what kind of doctor is a D.O. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine take a holistic approach to medicine, combining a focus on wellness and bone manipulation with traditional medical techniques.
Function
D.O.'s function just as medical doctors do, examining patients, prescribing medications and performing surgery. D.O.'s can also perform spinal manipulations and are more likely to embrace a holistic approach to medicine. There are over 50,000 D.O.'s in the United States, according to the American Osteopathic Association, or AOA, and almost 30 percent of that number are women.
History
Andrew Taylor Still was the first doctor to practice osteopathic medicine after becoming disillusioned with the way his colleagues relied on drugs to treat illness. In the early 1870s, Still embraced a philosophy of medicine that focused on the musculoskeletal system as an important element in maintaining good health.
The key component of osteopathy was performing bone manipulations. These manipulations were intended to restore blood flow or nerve sensation to affected areas. Still's approach also focused on eating properly, preventive medicine and keeping fit. He founded the American School of Osteopathy, now the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Missouri in 1892.
Features
Osteopathic medicine is taught with a focus on health and wellness. Preventive medicine is a core part of the curriculum in osteopathic medical schools. D.O.'s are taught to ask questions about patients' economic and social situations, eating habits, nutrition and mental health, while also completing examinations and ordering lab tests.
D.O.'s must complete and pass state and national licensing examinations before being permitted to practice. They also must complete a residency in their specialty or subspecialty.
Considerations
Although there are D.O.'s who are specialists, many are in primary care or family practice offices. If you are considering becoming a doctor and want to work in a competitive specialty or research program, enrolling in an M.D. program might be a better way to accomplish your goals.
Potential
Becoming a D.O. requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree and a good score on the Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, for admission to an osteopathic medical school. According to the AOA, up to 25 percent of osteopathic students are nontraditional students embarking on a new career.
As a D.O., you can open your own office and be your own boss or work in a multidoctor practice. You can set your own hours and take vacations when you want. Since doctors are needed throughout the country and world, you likely will be able to make a living anywhere you want to live.
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