Comparison of MD and DO in the United States

The comparison of MD (Doctor of Medicine) and DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) in the United States involves examining the similarities and differences between these two types of medical degrees. Both MDs and DOs are fully qualified physicians who can practice medicine, prescribe medications, and perform surgery in all 50 states. However, there are distinct differences in their training, philosophy, and practice.

Education and Training

Medical School

MDs attend allopathic medical schools, while DOs attend osteopathic medical schools. Both types of schools require a bachelor's degree and completion of prerequisite courses for admission. The curriculum in both MD and DO schools includes basic sciences, clinical sciences, and clinical rotations.

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment

One of the key differences in training is that DOs receive additional instruction in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a hands-on approach to diagnosing, treating, and preventing illness and injury.

Residency and Specialization

After medical school, both MDs and DOs must complete residency programs in their chosen specialties. Residency programs for both MDs and DOs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Philosophy and Practice

Holistic Approach

DOs are trained with a holistic approach to medicine, emphasizing the interrelationship between the body's nerves, muscles, bones, and organs. This philosophy is encapsulated in the osteopathic principle that the body is a unit and has the ability to heal itself.

Allopathic Approach

MDs are trained in the allopathic approach, which focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases primarily through the use of medications and surgery.

Licensing and Certification

Both MDs and DOs must pass a series of licensing exams to practice medicine. MDs take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), while DOs take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA). Both types of physicians can become board certified in their specialties.

Workforce and Distribution

MDs make up the majority of physicians in the United States, but the number of DOs is growing rapidly. DOs are more likely to practice in primary care fields such as family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics.

Related Pages

• Doctor of Medicine
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
• Medical education in the United States
• Osteopathic medicine in the United States
• Residency (medicine)