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 If you're like most people, you've been seeing doctors your whole life without ever wondering if you were seeing a DO or an MD. You may not have even been aware that there are two types of physicians in the United States.
The fact is that both DOs (osteopathic physicians) and MDs (allopathic physicians) are fully-qualified physicians licensed to prescribe medication and perform surgery. Is there any difference between these two kinds of physicians? Well, yes. And no.
DOs and MDs are alike in many ways:
- 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 internships and residencies.
- Both DOs and MDs can choose to practice in any specialty area of medicine.
- DOs and MDs must pass comparable examinations to obtain state licenses.
- DOs and MDs both practice in fully-accredited and licensed health care facilities.
DOs, however, belong to a separate yet equal branch of American medical care.
More than a century of unique care
Osteopathic medicine is a unique form of American medical care started in 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO. Dissatisfied with the effectiveness of 19th century medicine, Dr. Still pioneered the concept of "wellness" more than 130 years ago.
His philosophy of medicine focused on the unity of all body parts. Dr. Still identified the musculoskeletal system as a key element of health. He recognized the body's ability to heal itself and stressed preventive medicine, eating properly and
keeping fit.
In today's terms, DOs evaluate each patient's personal health risks such as smoking, high blood pressure, excessive cholesterol levels, stress and other lifestyle factors. In tandem with medical treatment, osteopathic physicians act as teachers to help patients take more responsibility for their well-being and to change unhealthy patterns.
The DO difference:
- Osteopathic medical schools emphasize training students to be primary care physicians.
- DOs practice a "whole person" approach to medicine where your body is seen as an integrated whole.
- Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive health care. (Many MDs now do this, too.)
- DOs receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system. This training helps osteopathic physicians better understand the ways that an illness or injury in one part of your body can affect another.
- Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is incorporated into the training and practice of osteopathic physicians. With OMT, osteopathic physicians use their hands to diagnose illness and injury and to encourage your body's natural tendency toward good health.
HealthEast employs three DO physicians:
Steven Sonerol, HealthEast Vadanis Heights Clinic
David Gilbertson, HealthEast St. Anthony Park Clinic
Dennis Walston, HealthEast Macalester/Groveland Clinic
If seeing a DO sounds like a good fit for you, make an appointment today!
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