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The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), commonly abbreviated as D.O. or simply DO, is a fully recognized medical degree conferred by the 37 accredited osteopathic medical schools located throughout the United States. In certain international contexts, such as Australia, it may be specifically referred to as "DO USA" to clearly distinguish it from other osteopathic practitioners who may not hold a complete medical degree.

A cornerstone of the DO degree is its direct and complete equivalence to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree within the United States healthcare system. Graduates holding a DO degree are comprehensively licensed physicians, enjoying full medical and surgical practicing rights across all 50 U.S. states. This empowers them to diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, perform surgical procedures, and secure hospital privileges, allowing them to integrate seamlessly into any medical specialty or practice setting, mirroring the scope of practice of their MD colleagues.

The osteopathic medical profession has experienced substantial growth and increasing integration into American healthcare. As of 2021, the United States was home to a thriving community of over 168,000 osteopathic physicians and medical students actively enrolled in DO programs, signifying a robust and expanding segment of the healthcare workforce. This significant upward trend is further underscored by the fact that, in 2021, more than 27% of all medical students across the U.S. were pursuing a DO degree, highlighting the profession's rising prominence and the increasing acceptance of osteopathic medical education.

Historically, osteopathic medicine originated from the principles of osteopathy, a healthcare philosophy founded by Andrew Taylor Still in the late 19th century. While retaining a holistic, patient-centered philosophy rooted in these foundational concepts, the profession has evolved considerably to become a distinct and integral component of conventional Western medicine. Today, osteopathic physicians are rigorously trained medical doctors who expertly combine a comprehensive understanding of allopathic medicine with a unique patient-centered approach and a distinctive diagnostic and therapeutic method.

The demanding curriculum at DO-granting medical schools is structured to be largely equivalent to that of MD-granting institutions, encompassing a four-year professional program. The initial two years are intensely focused on the foundational biomedical and clinical sciences, providing students with an in-depth understanding of subjects such as human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, and the principles of diagnosis. The subsequent two years are dedicated to comprehensive core clinical training, involving immersive rotations through various medical specialties including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychiatry, enabling students to apply their knowledge in diverse, real-world patient care environments.

One notable and distinguishing feature of DO training is the additional emphasis on Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). DO students dedicate an extra 300 to 500 hours to studying and mastering this hands-on diagnostic and therapeutic approach. OMT involves a diverse set of techniques applied to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness and injury by assessing and addressing somatic dysfunction – impaired or altered function of components of the body’s framework system (including skeletal, articular, and myofascial structures), and related vascular, lymphatic, and neural elements. This unique training empowers DOs to utilize their hands to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal imbalances, fostering the body's intrinsic capacity for health and healing, in conjunction with conventional Western medical and surgical interventions.

Upon successfully completing their medical school education, DO graduates matriculate into graduate medical education (GME), which comprises internship or residency training programs. These highly competitive programs, ranging from three to seven years depending on the chosen medical specialty, are precisely the same programs attended by their MD counterparts. Following residency, many DO physicians further specialize by undertaking fellowship training, acquiring advanced expertise in a specific sub-specialty area. This integrated training pathway ensures that DO physicians are fully prepared to practice across the entire spectrum of medical specialties, from foundational primary care to highly specialized surgical and medical fields.

Frequently Asked Questions About Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs)

What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)?
A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) is a fully licensed physician in the United States who has completed a comprehensive medical education at an osteopathic medical school. DOs are trained to provide a full scope of medical care, including diagnosing illnesses, treating conditions, prescribing medications, and performing surgery.
Are DOs equivalent to MDs?
Yes, in the United States, the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree is legally and professionally equivalent to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Both DOs and MDs are fully licensed physicians with the same rights to practice medicine and surgery in all 50 states.
What is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)?
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a distinctive, hands-on diagnostic and therapeutic approach unique to osteopathic medicine. It involves using various manual techniques to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness and injury by addressing somatic dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system, aiming to restore proper body function and support the body's natural healing processes.
Where do DO physicians practice?
DO physicians practice across all medical disciplines, including primary care (such as family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics) and all medical and surgical specialties (e.g., cardiology, oncology, general surgery, emergency medicine, psychiatry). They work in diverse settings including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and academic institutions nationwide.
How many osteopathic physicians are there in the U.S.?
As of 2021, there were more than 168,000 osteopathic physicians and medical students enrolled in DO programs in the United States, indicating the profession's significant growth and increasing presence in the nation's healthcare system.