What is a D.O.?
Two types of physicians practice in the United States with an unlimited scope of medical and surgical practice. They include MD’s and DO’s.
D.O.’s (Doctors of Osteopathy) attend a 4-year Osteopathic Medical School much like MD’s (Medical Doctors). Many aspects of osteopathic training and practice are similar to allopathic medicine. Osteopathic medicine differs in philosophy, training and practice due to the efforts of Andrew Taylor Still, MD.
Dr. Still founded osteopathy June 22, 1873 and chartered the American School of Osteopathy in 1892. He developed an awareness of the body’s self-healing abilities during a time in medicine when such thoughts were considered absurd. He believed most medicines of his day to be dangerous toxins. He recognized a link between the musculoskeletal system and maladies experienced by the sick and injured. He used manipulative techniques as a means of restoring health.
DO’s represent about 5% of all physicians in the United States. Most are in primary care, such as family practice, and are often found practicing in rural areas.
Tension that once existed between MD’s and DO’s has lessened. DO’s prescribe modern medication and MD’s acknowledge the self-healing abilities of the body to heal. Many DO’s serve residencies at allopathic institutions and some MD’s take courses in osteopathic manipulative treatment. DO’s hold offices of political appointment, such as the Surgeon General of Pennsylvania. Fifteen percent of all military physicians are DO’s. It is common to have MD’s and DO’s working medical practices as partners in fields from family practice to neurosurgery.
Osteopathic medicine is the fastest growing memeber of the health care team. Currently, 1 in 5 medical students in the United States attends an osteopathic college. Within a few years, 1 in 4 students will be osteopathic. The total number of D.O.’s in the United States is 64,000. Growth to 100,000 is anticipated by 2019.
Success and growth of the osteopathic profession is due to demand for what osteopathic education delivers. Osteopathic physicians tend to learn in a holistic, primary care format. This lends itself to creating physicians with excellent inter-personal skills that often enter areas of primary care medicine.
