Doctor of Medicine vs Doctor of Osteopathy

Are you considering a career in healthcare but find yourself torn between becoming a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)? It's a common dilemma, and understanding the similarities and differences between these two career paths is crucial in making the right choice for your future. In this ultimate guide, we'll dive deep into MD vs. DO, equipping you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision.

Both MDs and DOs are licensed doctors; however, they undergo different training and approaches to patient care. While MDs follow a more traditional path focusing on allopathic medicine, DOs receive additional training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and emphasize a whole-person approach to healthcare. Throughout this comprehensive guide, we'll explore each profession's educational requirements, admission processes, curricula, specialties, and career opportunities. By the end, you'll clearly understand which path aligns best with your interests, values, and aspirations. Join us as we embark on this journey to demystify the MD vs DO debate and help you choose the right path to become a healthcare professional.

What is an MD Program?

The abbreviation MD stands for Doctor of Medicine and stands for a professional graduate degree in medicine. They practice medicine by focusing on treatments with a scientific basis. This involves the diagnosis of diseases and other treatments using tools like X-rays, drugs, and even surgery. They generally work as primary care doctors and will be able to specialize in a particular field of study, like general medicine or internal medicine. While an MD degree does not let candidates specialize deeply in a particular field, they can take additional specialized training to do the same.

Though the degree is professional within the US and does not involve extensive research, most candidates choose to research further in their specialization. They also eventually publish papers and do basic scientific research after their graduation.

What is a DO Program?

The abbreviation DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and is considered an equivalent of the MD degree, though it has a slightly different approach to medicine. Unlike an MD degree, where candidates focus on a scientific approach, DO graduates focus on preventing diseases and holistic health. This field of study is strictly based in the US, and foreign osteopathic degrees are not accepted or recognized.

Candidates must complete an additional 300-500 hours of study in hands-on manual medicine and the musculoskeletal system, which is also known as osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM).

Difference Between an MD and DO

While many may think of an MD (medical doctor) and a DO (osteopathic doctor) as being similar (and they ARE both licensed physicians), it’s important to know the differences if they are considering a career as a doctor. The practice of an MD is allopathic. This means that they believe in the application of scientific treatment using legalized drugs. Modern medicine, or Western medicine, has long been attributed to the allopathic stream of study, which will be the basis for being a medical doctor. Allopathic practices also believe in the use of radiation and surgeries for treatment methods. While MDs can become primary care physicians in internal medicine, many also elect to become specialists in dermatology, gynecology, endocrinology, and surgeons.

An osteopathic doctor, or DO, is a doctor who practices osteopathy. Osteopathy is the whole-body approach to treatment. This holistic approach allows a DO to assess a patient's mind, body, and emotions when diagnosing and treating them. Using this drug-free, non-invasive approach will enable them to focus on other issues causing specific symptoms rather than the disease itself. They try to help the body heal itself in the most natural way possible and specialize in a hands-on approach. While most doctors carry the MD credential, the number of DO’s has steadily increased. Many DO’s end up as primary care physicians in internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, etc.

Similarities Between MD and DO

The essential path of study for MD and DO is similar since they differ only in their approach to medicine. Candidates doing either an MD program or a DO program will have to start with a four-year study in the sciences, after which they will have to take the MCAT. During this study period, they must focus on fulfilling their pre-medical education requirements.

Once completed, they can pursue an MD or DO program, depending on their interest. After completing the program, they will have to complete internships and a residency before they obtain a license to practice in the state of their choice.

Doing an MD Program

The road to obtaining an MD begins as an undergraduate with a heavy course load in the sciences. After four years as an undergraduate, candidates can obtain a bachelor’s degree, take the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test), and apply to medical school.

Medical school will take another four years to complete, with the first two years focusing on the coursework and the last two focusing on gaining experience in the field with faculty supervision. According to the Princeton Review, students will take the first step of the USMLE (US Medical Licensing Examination) after their second year of med school. This one-day, multiple-choice exam will assess their knowledge of basic sciences.

Students will take the next part of the USMLE during the fourth year of medical school. This part takes two days, with the exam on the first day comprising only multiple-choice questions based on clinical knowledge and the second day comprising a practical clinical skills test. The next 3-7 years will involve completing their residency.

The residency program that the candidate does will be based on their career interests. Candidates can get hands-on experience during this study period and prepare for their future careers. After the first year of residency, they can take the final part of USMLE. After the USMLE has been completed, candidates can obtain a license to practice medicine within a state of their choice based on their specialization.

Doing a DO Program

The path to being an osteopathic doctor begins much like becoming a Doctor of Medicine. Candidates must attend an undergraduate program (heavy in science courses) for four years and take the MCAT upon obtaining their bachelor’s degree.

After this, they can enter medical school in the DO program. These programs take up to four years to complete, and like med school for MDs, the first two years focus on the coursework, and the final two years give candidates hands-on experience in a clinical setting.

The licensure exam students must take upon completing medical school is slightly different from that of an MD. DO’s will take the COMLEX-USA (Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination). This exam will be taken in 3 levels. The first level is a computer-based exam testing the candidate’s osteopathic knowledge of concepts in the sciences. This is taken at the end of the second year of the DO program.

The second level is split into two parts: Level 2-CE and Level 2-PE, with the first being computer-based and the second assessing clinical skills. This must be taken at the end of their third year of study. The final level is a two-day, computer-based exam focusing on applying osteopathic knowledge, patient safety and independent practices, and foundational competency, among other areas. This final level of the COMLEX-USA will be done during the residency program.

Before enrolling in a residency program, candidates must enroll in an internship program. The residency program they eventually choose will be based on the specialization selected by the candidate. Students will typically be in a residency program for 3-8 years. Once completed, they can obtain their board certification or continue their subspecialty training in a fellowship program.

Choosing Between MD and DO

Choosing between the programs after their pre-medical education depends entirely on the candidate. Candidates who wish to practice a field of medicine that involves only scientific methods will have to choose an MD program. In contrast, candidates who wish to work on the prevention of diseases will have to choose a DO program.

Regardless of the path one chooses, candidates can do their internships and residency programs within the same system. They will also be licensed practitioners of medicine in the state of their choice.