DOs may be less common but we are not less than MDs. It takes years to receive the education and training needed to be a US physician but minutes to destroy our reputation. The media is capitalizing on the healthcare crisis and trying to discredit DOs because of the current political arena. CNN and NPR implied Dr. Sean Conley was less qualified because he was a "non-MD" or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine - a field of medicine whose founding father was an MD). They thank us one minute then defame us the next.
We must #stoptheignorance and educate the public. Despite making up 11% of the nation’s doctors, a number that is quickly growing, we are just as qualified to practice medicine as MDs and adhere to the same standards of care. We are working tirelessly during this pandemic to treat patients, not TV personalities.
As an osteopathic physician (otherwise known as a DO), we receive the same education as our allopathic or MD counterparts with an additional 250+ hours of training on osteopathic manipulative treatments. Being able to offer an alternative or adjunct treatment to patients gives us a powerful tool right at our fingertips. The following is a list of key differences and similarities between DO and MD degrees:
Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM - also known as OMT for Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment) is a set of hands-on techniques used to assess for and treat tissue texture changes, asymmetry, restriction, and tenderness. These techniques include soft tissue and myofascial release (reminiscent of massage therapy) as well as high-velocity low amplitude and articulatory methods. This is similar to a Chiropractor but with a different approach and understanding of the anatomy and musculoskeletal system. We utilize different characteristics and body mechanics to manifest structural changes through positioning, palpating, and balancing planes of motion. These practices can be performed directly into the barrier or indirectly into a position of ease. They can be done actively with the patient contracting their muscles or passively with the muscles relaxed. Learn more HERE.
While residency programs have merged and we train side by side with MDs, the holistic philosophy of our schooling remains ingrained in our approach to patient care. We promote the body’s natural tendencies toward self-healing, self-regulation, and health. We focus on treating the patient as a whole and not just the disease. Below is a list of our four Osteopathic Tenets.
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