If you’re like most people, you’ve been going to a doctor ever since you were born, and perhaps were seeing a D.O. (osteopathic physician) or an M.D. (allopathic physician). You may not even be aware that there are two types of complete physicians in the United States.
The fact is that both D.O.s and M.D.s are fully qualified physicians licensed to perform surgery and prescribe medication in all 50 states.
D.O.s and M.D.s are alike in many ways:
- Applicants to both D.O. and M.D. colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on scientific courses.
- Both D.O.s and M.D.s complete four years of basic medical education.
- After medical school, both D.O.s and M.D.s can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine – such as psychiatry, surgery or obstetrics – after completing a residency program which requires an additional two to six years of training.
- Both D.O.s and M.D.s must pass comparable state licensing examinations.
- D.O.s and M.D.s both practice in fully accredited and licensed health care facilities.
- D.O.s comprise a separate, yet equal branch of American medical care. Together, D.O.s and M.D.s enhance the state of care available in America.
- D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system – your body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of its body mass.
- Both D.O.s and M.D.s are eligible to become Board Certified in their specialty.
