What is a DO?
If you’re like most people, you’ve been going to a doctor since you were born and perhaps didn’t know if you were seeing a DO, (osteopathic physician) or an MD (allopathic physician). You may not even be aware that there are two types of complete physicians in the United States.
The fact is, both DOs and MDs are fully qualified physicians licensed to perform surgery and prescribe medication. Is there any difference between these two kinds of doctors? Yes. And no.
DOs Bring Something Extra to Medicine
- Applicants to both DO and MD medical colleges typically have four-year undergraduate degrees with an emphasis on scientific courses.
- Both DOs and MDs complete four years of basic medical education.
- After medical school, both DOs and MDs obtain graduate medical education through such programs as internships and residencies. This training typically lasts three to six years and prepares DOs and MDs to practice a specialty.
- Both DOs and MDs can choose to practice in any specialty area of medicine-such as pediatrics, family practice, psychiatry, surgery or obstetrics.
- DOs and MDs must pass comparable examinations to obtain state licenses.
- DOs and MDs both practice in fully accredited and licensed health care facilities.
← This will take you to a searchable osteopathic physician directory.
