What are MDs and DOs?
An MD is a Doctor of Medicine. A DO is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. The differences between MDs and DOs are often subtle. MDs and DOs both learn how to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases and injuries. MDs focus on treating specific medical conditions with medication and/or surgery. DOs focus on whole-body healing and have a holistic approach, with or without traditional medication/alternative therapies. DOs are believed to emphasize more on disease prevention. However, disease prevention plays an important role in the work of both MDs and DOs. MDs are more in number than DOs, but the number of students becoming DOs is rising. Despite the differences between the two types of doctors, both are professionally qualified with hands-on experience. DOs meet the strict requirements of the medical board before they receive their medical license.
Both MDs and DOs are licensed to practice in the U.S. and Canada.
What is the difference between allopathic and osteopathic medicine?
There are two main philosophies in medicine: allopathy and osteopathy.
- Allopathy: MDs learn allopathy in medical school. This is what is considered “modern medicine.” Allopathic medicine believes in using medication or performing certain procedures to treat a particular illness. The diagnosis of diseases is made by clinically examining the patients, performing blood and/or radiological tests and other diagnostic procedures. Most medical schools teach allopathic medicine.
- Osteopathy: DOs learn osteopathy in medical school. Compared to allopathy, osteopathy focuses more on treating the body instead of specific medical conditions. Osteopathic medicine teaches students to evaluate and treat patients using the same procedures as allopathic medicine. One important distinction is that DOs also learn to use one additional specialty called osteopathic manual medicine (OMM). This practice is sometimes called osteopathic manipulative treatment/therapy or osteopathic manipulation. Osteopathic manipulative treatment involves using the hands to diagnose, treat or prevent injuries or illnesses, such as blood pressure, asthma, indigestion and insomnia. However, not every DO uses every technique they have learned in practice.
Are MDs and DOs trained differently?
MDs and DOs both learn how to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases and injuries. They receive almost the same hours of training. They both go through four years of medical school, following which they complete a residency program that can be as long as seven years. The main difference between the two courses is that DOs undergo another additional 200 hours of coursework. During this time, they focus on the bones, muscles and nerves and their effects on overall body health. They also receive hands-on training. DOs may also take additional courses or classes to study holistic or alternative therapies. Preventive medicine is taught in both allopathic and osteopathic medicine, but osteopathic medicine has more classes on preventive medicine.
Both MDs and DOs are required to pass a national test to obtain a license to practice. MDs have to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). DOs have to take the Comprehensive Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX), but can choose to take the USMLE as well. Both tests cover the same subject matter.
Should I see an MD or a DO?
It is possible to tell which type of degree a doctor has by the letters attached to their name. If they went to an allopathic medical school, they would have an “MD” (Doctor of Medicine) after their name. If they went to an osteopathic medical school, they would have “DO” (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) after their name.
Make sure you go to a licensed professional for your ailments.
Both MDs and DOs are equally qualified to diagnose and treat a patient. If you are looking for a doctor who has a more hands-on approach and may be more open to alternative treatment options, a DO may be ideal. However, an MD may also be open to alternative treatment options.
Most DOs choose to be primary care doctors, while MDs typically specialize in a particular field of medicine (cardiology, pediatrics, dermatology, neurology, etc.) or surgery (orthopedic surgery, ENT or ear, nose, and throat surgery, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, etc.) Hence, it would be easier to find an MD, who is a specific type of doctor, rather than a general physician. Ultimately, choosing the right doctor comes down to being comfortable with the doctor, having a good trusting relationship with the doctor and the doctor who can meet your health goals. Licensed MDs and DOs are equally qualified to provide medical care and choosing one over the other is a personal preference.
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Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Disease Prevention in Men
Disease prevention in men includes routine screening tests that are part of basic prevention medicine. Take an active role in your own health care and discuss screening tests with your doctor early in life. Age of screening and timing of screening depends upon the condition being assessed.
Disease Prevention in Women
Disease prevention in women includes screening tests that are a basic part of prevention medicine. All screening tests are commonly available through your general doctor. Some specialized tests may be available elsewhere.
Female Screening Tests
What is a health screening? Why is it important to know your blood pressure? How long will your health screening take? Learn about wellness screenings for women for breast cancer, HIV, diabetes, osteoporosis, skin cancer, and more.
Healthy Living and Disease Prevention
The importance of a healthy lifestyle in disease prevention is widely understood and most people know that lifestyle changes and choices can be critical to good health. Learn about healthy behaviors that constitute healthy living.
Prevention
Enjoying a healthy diet helps to prevent diseases. A good diet also helps to control celiac disease, control diabetes, control high blood pressure, prevent loss of bone mass, prevent loss of muscle strength, and prevent vitamin deficiencies. Healthy diets also help with weight loss and obesity prevention.
Disease Prevention for Teens
Teenagers recognize that they are developmentally between child and adult. Teen health prevention includes maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, preventing injuries and screening annually for potential health conditions that could adversely affect teenage health.