Dr what is do

Like MDs, DOs can practice in any medical specialty, but a majority choose primary care specialties. The AOA estimates that 6 out of 10 osteopathic physicians practice family medicine, general internal medicine, pediatrics, or obstetrics and gynecology.

Choosing a doctor, allopathic or osteopathic, is a very personal choice. As Dr. There are many resources to help you choose, and word of mouth is okay, too. While both MD and DO seniors matched into the primary care specialties—family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics—at high rates, DO seniors faced more difficulty matching into highly competitive specialties. For example, when looking at students who matched into their preferred specialty, MD seniors matched into vascular surgery residencies at a rate of In neurological surgery, the difference was even greater: Competitive residencies i.

Nevertheless, DO students have an even harder time matching to them, mostly because of differences in prestige or reputation. Part of the reason why DO physicians tend to practice primary care is because of the osteopathic medical philosophy.

Another part of the reason is that DO students have a more difficult time matching to residencies offering specialty training. In , 47 percent of DO seniors ended up in primary care specialties vs. MD and DO physicians make comparable salaries when equivalent on factors like specialty, position, years of experience, and location. However, MD physicians earn higher incomes than DO physicians on average because they:. Are more likely to specialize, and specialists typically have higher salaries than generalists.

Tend to practice more in urban areas Salaries are usually higher for city dwellers, who have to deal with a higher cost of living. Moreover, specialists tend to practice in urban areas. Note: It is not always the case that physicians who work in urban areas make more than their counterparts in rural areas.

Because living in urban areas is more desirable for many people i. On the other hand, some employers in rural areas i.

MD physicians have full practice rights worldwide, whereas DO physicians currently have them in roughly 50 countries and partial practice rights in many other countries. The answer to this question depends on the following factors:. MD and DO physicians are highly skilled practitioners who undergo years of intense medical training.

However, the allopathic and osteopathic approaches to care appeal differently to different people. Although interests change during medical school and beyond, you should prioritize MD programs if you anticipate wanting to pursue a medical specialty.

If your heart is set on pursuing a medical career but your numbers fall short of MD program expectations, DO schools may be your only option. Many students apply to MD and DO programs because of their interest in both training modalities.

We recommend certain percentage breakdowns of MD vs. DO program applications based on your stats in this article on what MCAT score you need to get into med school. The allopathic MD and osteopathic DO approaches to medicine are highly valuable for treating patients.

Therefore, neither an MD nor DO is objectively better than the other. Once in medical school, a student of either program needs to complete 4 years of study. Their curriculum consists of both science courses and clinical rotations. The main difference is that those studying for a DO degree need to complete an additional hours of study on the musculoskeletal system.

The difference in approach also means that students in DO and MD programs will take different licensing exams. George University , both exams occur in three parts, and usually:. The licensing tests will also differ. Both require rigorous study and residency programs in order to gain licensure. The main difference between the two programs is that DOs learn osteopathic medicine, while MDs learn allopathic medicine. However, this does not mean that MD training does not teach a holistic or preventive approach to addressing medical conditions.

Unlike MD students, DO students will also undergo hands-on musculoskeletal training, called osteopathic manipulative treatment. Ultimately, however, either medical school route will focus on acquiring and utilizing up-to-date medical knowledge and delivering appropriate medical care. Therefore, the program a prospective student pursues will largely be a matter of individual preference.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Healthy Lifestyle Consumer health. Products and services. What kind of doctor is a D. Does a D. Answer From Brent A. With Brent A. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again.