Do designation medical. Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO): Comprehensive Guide to Osteopathic Medical Practice

29.11.202010.07.2023 by alexxlab

What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. How does osteopathic medicine differ from allopathic medicine. What training do DOs receive. How do DOs approach patient care. Where do DOs practice. What is osteopathic manipulative therapy.

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Understanding the Role of Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs)

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) are fully licensed physicians who practice a unique, whole-person approach to healthcare. They are trained to look beyond symptoms and consider how lifestyle and environmental factors impact a patient’s well-being. DOs are qualified to practice in all medical specialties and use the latest advancements in medical technology while also considering complementary treatment options.

Key Characteristics of Osteopathic Medicine

Whole-person approach to care
Focus on preventive medicine
Additional training in the musculoskeletal system
Use of Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT)
Emphasis on the body’s ability to heal itself

Can DOs prescribe medication and perform surgery? Yes, DOs are fully licensed physicians who can prescribe medication, perform surgery, and practice in any medical specialty, just like MDs (allopathic physicians).

The Educational Journey of a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

The path to becoming a DO is rigorous and comprehensive, involving extensive medical training and specialized osteopathic education.

DO Education and Training

Four years of undergraduate study
Four years of osteopathic medical school
300-500 additional hours of training in Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy
Residency program (2-6 years, depending on specialty)
Optional fellowship for subspecialty training

How long does it take to become a DO? The journey to becoming a practicing DO typically takes 11-15 years, including undergraduate studies, medical school, residency, and potentially fellowship training.

Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy: A Unique Aspect of DO Practice

Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT) is a distinctive feature of osteopathic medicine. This hands-on technique involves using the hands to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury by moving muscles and joints through stretching, gentle pressure, and resistance.

Benefits of Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy

Pain relief in muscles and joints
Improved range of motion
Enhanced blood flow to tissues
Alleviation of tension headaches
Assistance with certain respiratory issues

Is OMT scientifically proven? While more research is needed, many studies have shown positive outcomes for patients receiving OMT, particularly for musculoskeletal pain and certain respiratory conditions.

The Osteopathic Philosophy: Treating the Whole Person

The osteopathic approach to medicine is rooted in the belief that all body systems are interrelated and work together to promote health and healing. This holistic perspective considers physical, emotional, and environmental factors that may influence a person’s health.

Core Principles of Osteopathic Medicine

The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit
The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance
Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated
Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function

How does the osteopathic approach differ from traditional medicine? While both DOs and MDs practice evidence-based medicine, DOs place a greater emphasis on the musculoskeletal system and its role in overall health, often incorporating hands-on manipulative treatments.

Specialties and Practice Areas for Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine

DOs can be found practicing in all medical specialties, from primary care to highly specialized surgical fields. They bring their unique osteopathic perspective to each area of medicine.

Common Specialties for DOs

Family Medicine
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
Emergency Medicine
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Surgery
Psychiatry
Anesthesiology

Are there any specialties where DOs are more prevalent? While DOs practice in all areas of medicine, they are particularly well-represented in primary care specialties such as family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics.

The Growing Influence of Osteopathic Medicine in Healthcare

Osteopathic medicine has seen significant growth in recent years, with DOs playing increasingly important roles in the healthcare system. They hold prominent positions in various medical institutions and organizations, including caring for high-profile individuals and athletes.

Notable Achievements of DOs

Providing medical care for U.S. Presidents
Serving on the NASA medical team
Caring for Olympic athletes
Holding leadership positions in the uniformed services
Contributing to advancements in medical research

What percentage of physicians in the United States are DOs? According to recent statistics, DOs account for approximately 11% of all physicians in the United States, and this number is steadily increasing.

Choosing Between a DO and an MD: Patient Considerations

When selecting a physician, patients may wonder about the differences between DOs and MDs. Both types of doctors are fully qualified to practice medicine, and the choice often comes down to personal preference and individual health needs.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Physician

The doctor’s approach to patient care
Specific health concerns or conditions
Interest in complementary or alternative treatments
Preference for hands-on manipulative techniques
The physician’s experience and expertise in relevant specialties

Do insurance companies treat DOs and MDs differently? Generally, insurance companies do not distinguish between DOs and MDs. Both are recognized as fully licensed physicians, and their services are typically covered equally under most health insurance plans.

The Future of Osteopathic Medicine: Trends and Innovations

As healthcare continues to evolve, osteopathic medicine is poised to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of patient care. The holistic approach of DOs aligns well with current trends in personalized medicine and preventive care.

Emerging Trends in Osteopathic Medicine

Integration of osteopathic principles in telemedicine
Advancements in OMT techniques and applications
Increased focus on preventive care and lifestyle medicine
Expansion of osteopathic medical schools and residency programs
Growing research into the effectiveness of osteopathic approaches

How is technology impacting osteopathic medicine? Technology is enhancing the practice of osteopathic medicine through improved diagnostic tools, virtual reality training for OMT, and the integration of telemedicine platforms that allow DOs to provide holistic care remotely.

The field of osteopathic medicine continues to grow and evolve, offering patients a unique approach to healthcare that combines modern medical knowledge with a holistic understanding of the human body. As more patients seek comprehensive, patient-centered care, the role of Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine in the healthcare landscape is likely to expand further, bringing their distinctive perspective to an ever-wider range of medical specialties and practices.

DOs are at the forefront of addressing some of the most pressing health issues of our time, including the opioid crisis, chronic disease management, and mental health care. Their training in hands-on diagnosis and treatment, combined with a strong emphasis on preventive care, positions them well to tackle these challenges.

Osteopathic Approaches to Contemporary Health Issues

Non-pharmacological pain management techniques
Integrative approaches to mental health treatment
Lifestyle interventions for chronic disease prevention
Holistic strategies for addressing the social determinants of health

How are DOs contributing to the fight against the opioid crisis? Many DOs are leading efforts to develop and implement alternative pain management strategies, including the use of OMT, to reduce reliance on opioid medications and address the root causes of chronic pain.

The osteopathic medical profession is also making strides in research, with an increasing number of studies exploring the efficacy of osteopathic treatments and the impact of the osteopathic approach on patient outcomes. This growing body of evidence is helping to solidify the place of osteopathic medicine within the broader medical community and inform best practices for patient care.

Areas of Active Osteopathic Research

Efficacy of OMT for various conditions
Impact of osteopathic principles on chronic disease management
Patient satisfaction and outcomes in osteopathic care
Integration of osteopathic approaches in interdisciplinary healthcare teams
Cost-effectiveness of osteopathic interventions

What recent research findings support osteopathic practices? Recent studies have shown promising results for the use of OMT in treating lower back pain, reducing hospital stays for pneumonia patients, and improving outcomes for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

As the healthcare landscape continues to shift towards value-based care and patient-centered approaches, the principles of osteopathic medicine are becoming increasingly relevant. The emphasis on treating the whole person, rather than just symptoms, aligns well with modern healthcare goals of improving overall patient health and well-being while reducing healthcare costs.

Advantages of Osteopathic Approaches in Modern Healthcare

Focus on preventive care and health maintenance
Potential for reducing reliance on pharmaceutical interventions
Emphasis on patient education and empowerment
Holistic approach to addressing complex health issues
Integration of physical, mental, and emotional health considerations

How does the osteopathic approach align with value-based care models? The osteopathic focus on preventive care, patient education, and holistic treatment aligns closely with value-based care models that prioritize patient outcomes and long-term health over volume of services provided.

As the number of DOs continues to grow, their influence is likely to expand beyond clinical practice into areas such as healthcare policy, medical education, and public health initiatives. This increased representation may lead to a more balanced approach to healthcare that incorporates the best aspects of both osteopathic and allopathic medicine.

Potential Future Impacts of Osteopathic Medicine

Greater integration of OMT in mainstream medical practice
Increased emphasis on mind-body connections in medical education
Expansion of osteopathic principles into new medical technologies
Enhanced collaboration between DOs and other healthcare professionals
Broader application of osteopathic approaches in global health initiatives

What challenges might osteopathic medicine face in the future? As osteopathic medicine continues to grow, challenges may include maintaining the distinctive aspects of osteopathic training while integrating with traditional medical education, ensuring consistent quality of OMT across practitioners, and continuing to build a strong evidence base for osteopathic approaches.

In conclusion, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine represent a dynamic and growing force in the medical field, offering a unique perspective on patient care that combines modern medical knowledge with a holistic understanding of health and wellness. As healthcare continues to evolve, the principles and practices of osteopathic medicine are well-positioned to play a crucial role in shaping the future of medical care, emphasizing prevention, whole-person treatment, and the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

Doctor of osteopathic medicine: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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A doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) is a physician licensed to practice medicine, perform surgery, and prescribe medicine.

Like all allopathic physicians (or MDs), osteopathic physicians complete 4 years of medical school and can choose to practice in any specialty of medicine. However, osteopathic physicians receive an additional 300 to 500 hours in the study of hands-on manual medicine and the body’s musculoskeletal system, called osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT).

Osteopathic physicians hold to the principle that a patient’s history of illness and physical trauma are written into the body’s structure. The osteopathic physician’s highly developed sense of touch allows the physician to feel (palpate) the patient’s living anatomy (the flow of fluids, motion and texture of tissues, and structural makeup).

Like MDs, osteopathic physicians are licensed at the state level. Osteopathic physicians who wish to specialize may become board certified (in the same manner as MDs) by completing a 2- to 6-year residency within the specialty area, often side-by-side with MDs, and passing the same board certification exams as MDs.

DOs practice in all specialties of medicine, ranging from emergency medicine and cardiovascular surgery to psychiatry and geriatrics. Osteopathic doctors use the same medical and surgical treatments that are used by other medical doctors, but may also incorporate a holistic approach taught during their medical training and use OMT if indicated.

Osteopathic physician

Osteopathic medicine

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine website. What is osteopathic medicine? www.aacom.org/become-a-doctor/about-osteopathic-medicine. Accessed December 22, 2022.

Gevitz N. The “doctor of osteopathy”: expanding the scope of practice. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2014;114(3):200-212. PMID: 24567273 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24567273/.

Stark J. A degree of difference: the origins of osteopathy and the first use of the “DO” designation. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2014;114(8):615-617. PMID: 25082967 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25082967/.

Thomson OP, Petty NJ, Moore AP. A qualitative grounded theory study of the conceptions of clinical practice in osteopathy – a continuum from technical rationality to professional artistry. Man Ther. 2014;19(1):37-43. PMID: 23911356 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23911356/.

Updated by: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, VA New Jersey Health Care System, Clinical Assistant Professor, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What is a DO? | American Osteopathic Association

Patient care

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine use a unique whole-person approach to help prevent illness and injury.

Accounting for approximately 11% of all physicians in the United States, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, bring a unique, patient-centered approach to every specialty across the full spectrum of medicine. They are trained to listen and partner with their patients to help them get healthy and stay well.

DOs practice in all medical specialities, including primary care, pediatrics, OBGYN, emergency medicine, psychiatry and surgery. Moreover, DOs hold some of the most prominent positions in medicine today, including overseeing care for the President of the United States, the NASA medical team, Olympic athletes and many who serve in the uniformed services.

From their first days of medical school, DOs are trained to look beyond your symptoms to understand how lifestyle and environmental factors impact your well-being. They practice medicine according to the latest science and technology, but also consider options to complement pharmaceuticals and surgery.

As part of their education, DOs receive special training in the musculoskeletal system, your body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones. By combining this knowledge with the latest advances in medical technology, they offer patients the most comprehensive care available today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is osteopathic medicine?

The osteopathic philosophy of medicine sees an interrelated unity in all systems of the body, with each working with the other to heal in times of illness.

Osteopathic medicine is practiced by Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, who bring a whole-person approach to care by focusing on looking beyond your symptoms to understand how lifestyle and environmental factors impact your wellbeing.

The profession is one of the fastest growing segments in health care today, with one out of every four medical students enrolled in an osteopathic medical school.

How are DOs educated and trained?

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, complete four years of osteopathic medical school, with an emphasis on preventive medicine and comprehensive patient care.

They are trained to recognize the interrelated unity among all systems of the body, each working with the other to promote overall health and wellness.

Upon graduating from medical school, DOs complete internships, residencies and fellowships. This training lasts three to eight years and prepares them to become licensed and board-certified.

How are DOs licensed and certified?

Like all physicians in the U.S., Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, are licensed to practice medicine by licensing boards in each state. Requirements vary by state.

Typically, licensure requires successful completion of a medical licensing exam administered by the state licensing board or acceptance of a certificate issued by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners upon completion of a rigorous series of exams.

The Federation of State Medical Boards provides a directory of state licensing boards that can be contacted for information regarding physician licensure.

DOs earn board certification when they achieve expertise in a medical specialty or subspecialty by meeting the requirements of a specialty certifying board. Physicians in the U.S. can become board certified through the American Osteopathic Association or the American Board of Medical Specialties. The board certification process involves a combination of written, practical and simulator-based tests.

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RT MIS. Services for doctors and patients

Geography of presence

History of development from 2002 to the present

Astrakhan regionVologda regionZabaikalsky regionIrkutsk regionKabardino-Balkar RepublicKrasnoyarsk regionKurgan regionKaluga regionMoscow regionNizhny Novgorod regionOrenburg regionPerm regionRepublic of Adygea Republic of AltaiRepublic of BashkortostanRepublic of BuryatiaRepublic of DagestanRepublic of KareliaRepublic of KomiRepublic of CrimeaRepublic of Mari ElRepublic of Sakha (Yakutia)Republic KhakassiaSverdlovsk RegionPenza RegionUdmurt RepublicVladimir RegionYamalo-Nenets Autonomous OkrugRyazan RegionKirov RegionOmsk RegionJewish Autonomous Region

Photo source: wikipedia

Astrakhan region
Vologda region
Trans-Baikal Territory
Irkutsk region
Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
Krasnoyarsk Territory
Kurgan region
Kaluga region
Moscow region
Nizhny Novgorod Region
Orenburg region
Perm region
Republic of Adygea
Republic of Altai
Republic of Bashkortostan
Republic of Buryatia
Republic of Dagestan
Republic of Karelia
Republic of Komi
Republic of Crimea
Republic of Mari El
Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
Republic of Khakassia
Sverdlovsk region
Penza region
Udmurt Republic
Vladimir region
Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug
Ryazan region
Kirov region
Omsk region
Jewish Autonomous Region

Can I go to the doctor for an online appointment for a prescription? All about telemedicine

During the pandemic, the demand for online doctor consultations has increased.

How far has telemedicine advanced in Russia? What can and what can’t a doctor do online?

The law on telemedicine, which refers to any remote contact between a doctor and a patient or a doctor and a doctor, say, regarding the choice of treatment tactics, came into force in 2018. Rather, these were amendments to the law “On the Fundamentals of Protecting the Health of Citizens in the Russian Federation”. The document approved the concept of “telemedicine technologies” and the possibilities of their application. Due to the pandemic, the demand for online doctor’s consultations has increased several times – some clinics are talking about an increase of 300 But what medical services can and cannot be obtained on the Internet?0003

Can:

take history and decide whether face-to-face visits are required,
correct previous treatment,
write prescriptions for drugs, but only if previously diagnosed in person,
order additional examinations, 900 48
decode analyzes.

Cannot:

diagnose,
prescribe treatment.

“Neither the diagnosis nor the stage of the disease can be established, even though some specific data will be provided, consisting of laboratory tests, computed tomography, and so on,” says Anton Ivanov, head physician of the NACFF clinic. “Based on the results of an online consultation, we provide a conclusion. As a rule, it indicates what the patient needs to do: where and which doctor to contact. Also, no drugs and chemotherapy regimens, potent drugs are prescribed during an online consultation.”

This means that the patient will benefit more from an online consultation if it follows an in-person appointment.

“The initial online consultation, if it is carried out with a new patient who has not previously applied to the clinic in person, is exclusively advisory in nature for further diagnostic actions. According to the law, we cannot only make a diagnosis, but also consider this consultation as medical”, — explains Yegor Safrygin, Director of Digital Transformation of the European Medical Center.

Yes, but subject to two conditions. “Firstly, the doctor must adjust the treatment according to the previously diagnosed diagnosis (that is, not in the case of an initial consultation, but when the patient has already been diagnosed in person, treatment is prescribed, including prescription drugs, – TASS note). The second is in the region, where a doctor writes a prescription, there should be a system for issuing electronic prescriptions signed with an enhanced qualified electronic signature of the doctor,” the press service of the SberHealth service told TASS.

For example, in Moscow doctors can write electronic prescriptions instead of paper ones. You can get prescribed medicines at the pharmacy by presenting the QR code of the prescription on the phone screen in the EMIAS.INFO app or in the patient’s personal account on mos.ru.

“In most cases, this works only when prescribing drugs that certain categories of citizens can receive free of charge or at a 50% discount. Both a medical organization and a pharmacy where the patient will receive the medicine should also be connected to such a system,” the “SberHealth”.

Prescription drugs, like prescription drugs, require special forms, seals and certified signatures of the attending physician and department head. It is more difficult to do this in a telemedicine environment. It happens that some clinics make it a rule not to issue prescriptions for online consultations.

“The law allows you to remotely renew an already issued electronic prescription. At the same time, both the doctor and the patient must have an electronic signature on the State Services portal. But in this way, in practice, it is usually impossible to renew the prescription,” TASS was told in the service ” The doctor is near.

There are legal nuances.

According to the law, a medical organization must provide such online consultations through the Unified State Information System , that is, provided that the organization is identified in this system. “To participate in telemedicine, both doctors and patients must be identified through the Unified Identification and Authentication System (ESIA). Legislative changes have been expected for a long time, but so far registration through the ESIA is available only to medical institutions, and not to telemedicine operators. There are also requirements of the order of the Ministry of Health of 30 November 2017 No. 965 “On approval of the procedure for organizing and providing medical care using telemedicine technologies” in terms of data transfer, storage and protection (information security must be arranged in a certain way),” says Vsevolod Pogodin, head of the arimed.ru telemedicine service. According to him, due to such legal requirements, now most telemedicine services position themselves as advertising platforms that do not provide medical services.0003

The law does not establish a list of doctors who may or may not consult online. The main thing is that the online appointment is conducted by a doctor who has an EDS for signing electronic documents. But in some areas, where personal examination and medical manipulations are a key service, online consultations are unpopular, for example, dentistry. “We were looking for the possibility of introducing online consultations at the beginning of the pandemic, but we couldn’t. It’s possible to get a virtually detailed answer to questions of the nature of “how to restore a tooth”. But when it comes to symptoms and pain, online reception turns into “guess the melody,” — says Kirill Kostin, chief physician of the PerfectSmile Center for Aesthetic Dentistry, Cosmetology and Bone Regeneration.0003

Judging by the data of clinics, the most popular consultations are those of therapists and neurologists.

“In 2021, our structure of visits to doctors of narrow specialties has changed. According to the results of the first quarter of 2021, neurologists were in the lead. In the same period a year ago, people most often turned to obstetrician-gynecologists. In 2021, they rank third in terms of number “Gastroenterologists are in second place. We see an increase in remote calls to psychologists, they occupy the fourth position in the general list. Last year, consultations with a psychologist were not included in the top ten,” says Ekaterina Kuzina, medical director of the Doctor Nearby digital medical service.

“For June 2021, we can highlight the top 5 telemedicine specialties in EMC. Among them are internal medicine, psychiatry, neurology, oncology, urology. In March-July 2020, the most popular areas for telemedicine consultations were psychiatry, general practice / therapy , endocrinology, oncology, neurology,” says Yegor Safrygin, European Medical Center (EMC).

There are pilot programs in some regions of Russia where telemedicine has been included in the CHI system. This does not work on the basis of city clinics, but through the Doctor Nearby service. Most of the online appointments with doctors are conducted in private clinics. Russians have the following opportunities in the field of public medicine:

an appointment with a doctor (not all, but most specialists are available) online through the State Services,
call a doctor at home (in large cities) also through the State Services.