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What is the difference between M.D. vs. D.O. Asking as a patient vs. premed student
An M.D. is a physician who holds a Doctor of Medicine degree. A D.O. is also a physician who obtained a degree as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
As a patient, it would be surprising if you were able to quickly discern whether your current care provider is an M.D. vs D.O. That is, without requiring some digging into your past medical visit summaries for their post-nominal title or searching out your provider’s credentials online.
Both an M.D. and D.O. are equally qualified physicians in their ability to diagnose and treat their patients. In many settings, they are nearly indistinguishable in their medical practice. The difference between the two types of physicians lies in their philosophical approach to medicine- which we will explore below. But the primary educational distinction between an M.D. vs D.O. is the additional education/training in OMM (osteopathic manipulative medicine) that a D.O. receives.
A patient seeking an integrative approach to their care- that includes traditional treatment with the added holistic approach that investigates alternative/contributing factors to disease, may decide that a D.O. is who they are more comfortable with.
As a premed student there are more differences to consider between the two pathways. Most of which involve an understanding of which philosophy the student most aligns with (allopathic- M.D. or osteopathic- D.O.). Additionally, there are differences in the application cycle, different organizations which represent the two physicians, the location or availability of either college in each state and the additional 200 hours of OMM education.
As an aspiring physician, either pathway will successfully prepare you to practice medicine and adequately care for your patients. A careful consideration must be made by each student based on a well-researched understanding in the M.D. or D.O. provider and which philosophy is better suited for them.
This article is an unbiased one and isn’t intended to convince you which of the two philosophies is preferred. Instead, it should be used to recognize the unifying similarities between M.D. vs. D.O. physicians and promote a better understanding of why both physicians contribute greatly to the medical profession.
What is the difference between the Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) approach to medicine
Allopathic Medicine
Allopathic medicine is commonly referred to as traditional medicine- other names include conventional medicine, Western medicine, and modern medicine. Compared to the osteopathic philosophy it was established in the 1800’s and is primarily focused on the use of medication, surgery or radiation, and other procedures to treat disease and symptoms.
What isn’t normally included in this philosophy is the use of alternative, or complementary treatments such as:
- Massage
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic care
- Yoga
- Nutritional approaches
- etc.
In comparison, allopathic schools are more widely available to students than osteopathic schools in the U.S. There are approximately 150 allopathic schools in the U.S. that are represented by the American Association of Medical Colleges, or AAMC. While only 37 osteopathic schools are listed by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, or AACOM.
Osteopathic Medicine
The practice of this philosophy integrates all of those within traditional medicine and in addition, the interconnectedness of bodily systems- or the holistic approach. Osteopathic medicine is commonly referred to as the ‘hands-on’ approach used to treat disease and prevent them.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, or NIH, provides an excellent description of the use of alternative medicine to treat symptoms and disease.
Osteopathic manipulative medicine, also known as osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) uses gentle pressure to joints or soft tissue in an attempt to maintain alignment and balance within the body. Often, OMM is used to alleviate the pain experienced to their musculoskeletal system. This treatment encourages better body functioning and maintain balance.
The holistic approach involved in the osteopathic philosophy isn’t limited to pain management and treating symptoms. A D.O. will consider other causal factors to the symptoms their patients are experiencing. This might include assessing a patient’s:
- Lifestyle
- Habits
- Stressors
- Nutrition
- Level of activity
- Behavioral or emotional health
- etc.
The AACOM website is a great resource for further information on osteopathic medicine.
The differences between the M.D. and D.O. pathway for students
Admissions into either an allopathic or osteopathic college require the following:
- Completion of a Bachelor’s degree
- Competitive MCAT score
- Competitive cumulative GPA and science GPA
Upon matriculation into a medical college both M.D. and D.O. students will receive 4 years of education in medicine involving a comparable rigorous curriculum. During this time both students will be required to take national examinations for their licensure to practice medicine. The M.D. student will be required to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). While the D.O. student may take the USMLE but are additionally required to take the Comprehensive Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX)- this exam contains additional testing of OMM methods.
However, the D.O. student will have a required 200 hours in OMM training during their didactic years, first 2 years of in-class medical education.
After completion of a 4-year education in medicine, both medical students must attend a residency program- followed by a fellowship program depending on specialty.
As of July 1st, 2020, the allopathic and osteopathic graduate medical education system had merged. The detail of this merger allows for the combined grouping of MD/DO residencies. Meaning that the residencies available to M.D. students are also available to D.O. students.
As a D.O. student, you are not limited to choosing a specialty in primary care, emergency medicine, or obstetrics and gynecology. A D.O. is as equally qualified as an M.D. provider and may be receive training in any specialty, or subspecialty.
Summary
The question of which physician is better, M.D. or D.O., underlines the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the differences between the two philosophies- as well as their similarities.
As a patient, both providers are equally qualified in providing you treatment of your symptoms or illnesses. You have likely been under the care of both types of physicians- at some point or another, and not had any inkling of their differences. Additionally, an M.D. provider may decide to incorporate holistic approaches to their treatment. Each physician practices medicine independently and may choose to adhere to how they were formally trained or incorporate other philosophies to their practice.
When choosing a physician, a patient’s focus should go towards whether they feel that they are heard when speaking to their provider, how comfortable they are with a treatment plan, and whether they feel that they can trust their provider.
As a student pursuing a career in medicine, it is important to discover which philosophy best suits you. You may find that shadowing both an M.D. and D.O. physician helpful in your decision making. As a student it is essential to gather information in both philosophies of medicine and note who they may be better aligned with as a future physician.