What is a DO and how does it differ from an MD. How are Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine trained. Why is the whole-person approach important in healthcare. How does osteopathic medicine contribute to preventive care. What specialties do DOs practice in. How are DOs licensed and certified. What is the future outlook for osteopathic medicine.

The Fundamentals of Osteopathic Medicine: Defining DO

Osteopathic medicine is a distinctive branch of medical practice in the United States that emphasizes a whole-person approach to healthcare. At the heart of this field are Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, commonly known as DOs. These medical professionals bring a unique perspective to patient care, focusing on prevention and treating the person rather than just the symptoms.

DOs account for approximately 11% of all physicians in the United States, a number that has been steadily growing. They are fully licensed medical practitioners who can prescribe medication, perform surgery, and practice in all specialties of medicine. The key difference lies in their philosophical approach to patient care and the additional training they receive.

Core Principles of Osteopathic Medicine

• Whole-person approach to care
• Focus on preventive medicine
• Recognition of the body’s ability to heal itself
• Emphasis on the musculoskeletal system’s role in health and disease

Is there a significant difference between a DO and an MD in terms of medical practice? While both DOs and MDs are licensed to practice medicine in all 50 states, DOs receive additional training in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). This hands-on technique is used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury by moving a patient’s muscles and joints using techniques that include stretching, gentle pressure, and resistance.

The Comprehensive Training of Osteopathic Physicians

The journey to becoming a DO is rigorous and comprehensive. Aspiring osteopathic physicians must complete a four-year undergraduate degree followed by four years of osteopathic medical school. During their medical education, DO students receive specialized training that sets them apart from their MD counterparts.

Key Components of Osteopathic Medical Education

1. Standard medical curriculum covering all aspects of modern medicine
2. Additional 200+ hours of training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)
3. Emphasis on the musculoskeletal system and its interconnection with other body systems
4. Focus on preventive medicine and comprehensive patient care

How long does it take to become a fully qualified DO? After completing medical school, DOs undergo internships, residencies, and fellowships that can last between three to eight years, depending on their chosen specialty. This postgraduate training prepares them for licensure and board certification, ensuring they are equipped to provide high-quality care in their respective fields.

The Whole-Person Approach: A Cornerstone of Osteopathic Medicine

One of the defining features of osteopathic medicine is its whole-person approach to healthcare. This philosophy sees the body as an integrated unit of mind, body, and spirit, rather than a collection of separate parts. DOs are trained to look beyond immediate symptoms to understand how lifestyle and environmental factors impact a patient’s well-being.

Why is the whole-person approach significant in healthcare? This holistic perspective allows DOs to address the root causes of illness and develop comprehensive treatment plans that consider all aspects of a patient’s health. By taking into account physical, emotional, and social factors, DOs can provide more personalized and effective care.

Benefits of the Whole-Person Approach

• Improved patient outcomes through comprehensive care
• Enhanced patient-doctor relationships and communication
• Greater emphasis on preventive measures and lifestyle modifications
• Reduced reliance on pharmaceutical interventions when appropriate

How does this approach translate to practical patient care? DOs often spend more time with patients, asking detailed questions about their lifestyle, environment, and stressors. This information helps them develop a more complete picture of the patient’s health and informs their treatment recommendations.

Osteopathic Medicine in Preventive Care: A Proactive Approach

Preventive medicine is a cornerstone of osteopathic practice. DOs are trained to help patients develop attitudes and lifestyles that not only fight illness but also prevent it. This proactive approach to healthcare can lead to better long-term health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.

How do DOs incorporate preventive care into their practice? Osteopathic physicians often focus on patient education, lifestyle counseling, and early intervention strategies. They may recommend dietary changes, exercise programs, stress reduction techniques, and other preventive measures tailored to each patient’s unique needs and risk factors.

Key Aspects of Osteopathic Preventive Care

• Regular health screenings and assessments
• Personalized health promotion strategies
• Patient education on disease prevention
• Integration of lifestyle modifications into treatment plans

Can preventive care significantly impact long-term health outcomes? Research has shown that a focus on prevention can reduce the incidence of chronic diseases, improve quality of life, and decrease healthcare expenditures. By addressing potential health issues before they become serious, DOs help patients maintain optimal health and avoid costly medical interventions down the line.

The Diverse Specialties of Osteopathic Physicians

While many DOs choose to practice in primary care fields, they are trained and licensed to practice in all medical specialties. Osteopathic physicians can be found in every area of medicine, from family practice to highly specialized surgical fields.

In which medical specialties do DOs commonly practice? DOs are well-represented in primary care specialties such as family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. However, they also practice in a wide range of other fields, including:

• Emergency Medicine
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Psychiatry
• Surgery
• Anesthesiology
• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Oncology

Are there any limitations on the specialties DOs can pursue? No, DOs have the same opportunities as MDs to specialize in any area of medicine. They compete for the same residency programs and can become board-certified in all specialties recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Licensing and Certification: Ensuring Quality Osteopathic Care

Like all physicians in the United States, DOs must be licensed to practice medicine. The licensing process ensures that osteopathic physicians meet the rigorous standards required to provide safe and effective medical care.

How do DOs obtain their medical license? The licensing requirements for DOs are similar to those for MDs and typically include:

1. Graduation from an accredited osteopathic medical school
2. Completion of a residency program
3. Passing a national licensing examination
4. Meeting state-specific requirements

What about board certification for DOs? Board certification is an additional credential that demonstrates a physician’s expertise in a particular specialty. DOs can become board-certified through either the American Osteopathic Association or the American Board of Medical Specialties. The certification process involves rigorous written, practical, and simulator-based tests.

Continuing Education and Maintenance of Certification

To maintain their licenses and board certifications, DOs must engage in ongoing education and professional development. This ensures that they stay up-to-date with the latest medical advancements and continue to provide high-quality care throughout their careers.

The Future of Osteopathic Medicine: Growth and Opportunities

Osteopathic medicine is one of the fastest-growing segments of healthcare in the United States. The number of DOs has been steadily increasing, with one out of every four medical students now enrolled in an osteopathic medical school.

What factors are driving the growth of osteopathic medicine? Several factors contribute to the rising popularity of osteopathic medicine:

• Increasing recognition of the value of holistic, patient-centered care
• Growing emphasis on preventive medicine and wellness
• Demand for primary care physicians, particularly in rural and underserved areas
• Expanding opportunities for osteopathic medical education

How is the growth of osteopathic medicine impacting healthcare delivery? As more DOs enter the workforce, patients are benefiting from increased access to physicians trained in whole-person care. This growth is also helping to address physician shortages, particularly in primary care and rural areas.

Emerging Roles for Osteopathic Physicians

DOs are increasingly taking on leadership roles in healthcare, including:

• Overseeing care for high-profile individuals, such as the President of the United States
• Serving on the NASA medical team
• Providing medical care for Olympic athletes
• Holding key positions in the uniformed services

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, osteopathic medicine is well-positioned to play a significant role in shaping the future of patient care. With their unique blend of modern medical knowledge and holistic philosophy, DOs are equipped to address the complex health challenges of the 21st century.

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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What is Osteopathic Medicine and How Is It Different?

What is Osteopathic Medicine and How Is It Different? | PCOMSkip to main content

About Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathic medicine is a “whole person” approach to medicine—treating the entire
person rather than just the symptoms. With a focus on preventive health care, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) help patients develop attitudes and lifestyles that don’t just fight illness, but
help prevent it, too.

How is Osteopathic Medicine Different?

DOs are complete physicians who, along with MDs, are licensed to prescribe medication
and perform surgery in all 50 states. But DOs bring something extra to the practice
of medicine—a holistic approach to patient care. DOs are trained to be doctors first,
and specialists second. The majority of DOs are family-oriented primary care physicians.
Many DOs practice in small towns and rural areas, where they often care for entire
families and communities. Learn more about the differences between DOs and MDs.

What is Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine?

Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) is a comprehensive approach to health care
in which osteopathic physicians (DOs) apply osteopathic philosophy, structural diagnosis
and use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in the diagnosis and management
of patients.

As part of their osteopathic medical school studies, DOs receive extra training in
manipulating the musculoskeletal system—your body’s interconnected system of nerves,
muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of your body mass. This training in osteopathic
manipulative medicine (OMM) provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding
of how an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect another.

The art and science of OMM pertain to the assessment of the impact of the malfunctioning
neuromusculoskeletal systems on health and disease, and designing appropriate interventions
which often include some form of OMT. There are approximately 15 major types of OMT
and more than 1,000 individual techniques.

OMM is incorporated into the training of all osteopathic physicians. With OMM, DOs
use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage your body’s natural
tendency toward good health. By combining all other medical procedures with OMM, DOs
offer their patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today.

How long does it take to become a DO?

The osteopathic curriculum involves four years of academic study, with an emphasis
on preventive medicine and holistic patient care. DOs serve a one-year internship,
gaining hands-on experience in family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics-gynecology,
pediatrics and surgery. This experience ensures that osteopathic physicians are first
trained as primary care physicians—even if they plan to pursue a specialty. Many DOs
then complete a residency program in a specialty area, which typically requires two to six years of additional training.

• Download Program Brochure
• Application Process and Requirements
• Tuition
• Program Locations
• Take a Virtual Tour
• Visit
• Contact the Office of Admissions
• Request Information
• Apply

History of Osteopathic Medicine

Andrew T. Still, a doctor who was dissatisfied with the effectiveness of 19th century
medicine, pioneered osteopathic medicine. He was one of the first in his time to study
the attributes of good health to better understand disease. Dr. Still’s philosophy
focuses on the unity of all body parts and identifies the musculoskeletal system as
a key element of health. He introduced the idea of returning the body to health through
manipulation based on a thorough understanding of the body’s systems.

In 1892, Dr. Still obtained a state charter to establish the first osteopathic medical
school in Missouri. Despite a legislative attack on the osteopathic profession mounted
by allopathic physicians (MDs), the profession grew. Vermont was the first state to
recognize the osteopathic profession in 1896. In 1897, the American Association for
Advancement of Osteopathy (now the American Osteopathic Association) was founded in Kirksville, Missouri.

FAST Facts About Osteopathic Medicine

Specialties and practices

• Approximately 57 percent of practicing osteopathic physicians practice in the primary
  care specialties of family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics and osteopathic manipulative medicine.
• The top five non-primary care specialties include emergency medicine, anesthesiology,
  obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), general surgery and psychiatry.
• Many DOs fill a critical need for health care by practicing in rural and other underserved
  communities near where they completed medical school.

Profession growth and demographics

• The osteopathic medical profession continues to grow. The number of practicing DOs
  in the United States has more than quadrupled since 1990.
• The profession is also getting younger. In 2022, more than two-thirds of actively
  practicing DOs are under age 45.
• The number of women joining the osteopathic physician continues to rise. In 2022,
  43 percent of practicing DOs are women, up from 32 percent in 2010.
• More than 7,000 new osteopathic physicians enter the workforce each year. Approximately
  141,000 fully licensed active osteopathic physicians currently practice the entire
  scope of modern medicine.
• More than 25 percent of medical students in the United States today are training to be DOs.

Source: American Osteopathic Association (AOA), American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)

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Make a doctor’s stamp on the online stamp designer

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Stamps are required daily by doctors and administrative structures in the medical field, it is impossible to work without them. What kind of seals should doctors have ? The law provides for the use by a legal entity or individual entrepreneur of only one seal.

Order a doctor’s stamp from mystampready.com

The need to create a seal arises in various situations, for example, when it is lost or stolen. Using the Internet, it is possible to place an order on portals, one of the best is considered https://mystampready.com. Doctor’s seal according to GOST rules can be ordered online. The technological cycle involves several successive steps:

1. A sketch is made in the design program ( the diameter of the round doctor’s seal is determined).
2. A cliche is created from photopolymer and rubber.
3. The resulting cliche is fixed on the snap.
4. The product is sent to the customer anywhere in the country.

A layout can be sent by e-mail, storage formats:

• Svg,
• Png,
• docx,
• pdf.

How to create a print order:

1. Log in to mystampready.com.
2. Choose a template or use the software to create a new seal by adding details and a logo.
3. Click on the manufacturer (it is on the map).
4. Submit an application.

It takes several minutes for such an operation, you can enter the site at any time of the day. The Internet resource compares favorably with simple and comfortable functionality.

Types of doctors’ seals

If the seal is lost, an internal decree is issued according to which it is cancelled. In the same document, a decision is made to order a new seal. A certificate from the Department of Internal Affairs is also attached, it notes the fact of loss.

There are only two types of doctors’ seals:

Make a doctor’s seal

1. Personal, it is registered with a specific individual, a general practitioner.
2. Clinics – usually located at the head physician. It contains information:

• name;
• number;
• place of registration.

Both triangular and round stamps can be used. Symbols allowed:

• sprockets;
• branches;
• dashes.

At the same time, the inscriptions should be easy to read, there should be no serifs in the letters, the font should be simple. The doctor’s seal size according to GOST must contain the logo of the medical center, sometimes the personal logo of the medical specialist is installed.

Legal basis

What should be the seal of the doctor, is provided by laws:

1. Departmental Decree of the Ministry of Health dated May 2, 2012 No. 441 “On Approval of the Procedure for Issuing Certificates and Medical Reports by Medical Organizations”.
2. Order dated February 12, 2007 (as amended on February 26, 2013) N 110 “On the Procedure for Prescribing and Prescribing Medicinal Products and Health Foods”.

The first circular says that we need the doctor’s signature, a seal impression. The documents also require the signatures of the attending physicians.

1. Head’s signature.
2. Seal of the organization.

Strictly the law does not regulate the size of the round seal of a doctor, however, there are a number of recommendations:

1. The stamp can be in the form of a circle.
2. Kohler – blue.
3. The full name of the employee is written in a circle.
4. Dentist seal up to 24 mm in diameter. Physician’s Personal Seal Requirements are as follows: the attribute of authorized employees is used. In the electronic patient record (GOST R No. 7.0.8-2013), it is allowed to use a facsimile print of the seal, it can be reproduced in electronic format. An electronic signature of a medical worker is also put in the electronic document. Snap is better to do automatic. Advantages – a clear imprint of the doctor’s stamp, all the details are visible in contrast. There is a cap included to protect the print. The body is made of durable PVC or refractory metal, such materials can withstand heavy mechanical loads.

   Benefits of working with mystampready.com

   Digital software allows you to generate stamps in vector graphics. Make possibly complex seals, with a large number of additions, of the maximum level of complexity. The company’s website is simple and intuitive, you can enter and make electronic printing from any location.

   Mystampready.com is the first company to produce mockups in any format. Vector graphics allow you to:

   1. Make up any layout.
   2. Enlarge the “picture” to any parameters.
   3. When creating complex layouts, it is possible to form a smaller size.
   4. Create triangular stamps.
   5. Save layout in formats: PNG, SVG, PDF, DOCX.

   The portal has a “Save layout” button, it is possible to return to the original template at any time and restore the attribute if necessary. Go to the site, if you have any questions, write a request to the support service, it works around the clock. Mystampready.com is here to help you create the best quality new print.

   Publication date 2020-12-27

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   9 ideas to give a doctor as a token of gratitude

   Anna Mozgovaya

   chooses the perfect gift

   Author profile

   Sometimes, after a comfortable treatment, you want to thank your doctor with more than just words. But choosing something suitable is difficult.

   We asked readers T—F what gifts they could give to thank their doctor. Some advise something universal, others believe that a gift should be chosen individually. This material contains ideas that will help you make a choice.

   These are the stories of readers from the T⁠—⁠F Community. Collected into one material, carefully edited and formatted according to editorial standards.

   Gift No. 1

   good alcohol
   

   I thank the doctors if I feel that I really, really want to. For example, she ordered her husband after giving birth to buy a bottle of good alcohol for the anesthesiologist. A huge, stern guy in a bandana with skulls did everything to me so gently, not painfully, and even with humor, that I really wanted to thank him personally.

   In such cases, when you directly feel gratitude and want to express it, it is normal to give thanks with gifts. And in each case, you should think carefully about what to give. I decided that, after all, rum does not spoil, and if the doctor does not drink, he can give or share with colleagues and friends.

   /wine-futures/

   How to save money on luxury wines

   Gift No. 2

   DIY toys
   

   Eve Jam
   rejoices at homemade gifts from patients

   Candy is simply not eaten anymore. They are stored in the common dining room and then thrown away as they expire. The usual sincere thanks are a thousand times better than these sweets. But the best part is the handmade toys. Two of my patients gave me these. And one is some kind of wood craft, where I was depicted as her guardian angel. It’s incredibly cute.

   Gift No. 3

   Certificate to the restaurant
   

   Usually, if I go for some kind of routine, I do not thank the doctors. But after a difficult treatment, he gave certificates to the doctors to the restaurant. With them, they can either go themselves, take a break from work and have a good time, or use them as a good option for a gift to someone else. In addition to certificates – a bottle of good wine. Again, if a person drinks himself, then she will always have to go to the table, if she doesn’t drink, she will be able to give it to someone.

   Ramen, steaks and eclairs: a mega selection of cafes and restaurants with delicious food and delivery

   I still couldn’t give as much money as I wanted and as much as they deserve. This option seemed optimal, but not too trivial.

   Gift No. 4

   Money
   

   Kirill M
   knows how to give thanks with money

   My relative is very professional in putting banknotes in the side pocket of his gown for healthcare workers. The pockets are on the outside, so it’s easy to do. They fail to refuse. Why, they don’t even have time to utter a word. I don’t remember a single case when a health worker would pull out money and put it back.

   It is worth noting that all this is true only for government agencies. In private clinics, you just go to the cashier and say: “Hello. Payment by card.

   Gift No. 5

   Neck massager
   

   I went to the same dentist for a long time to get all my teeth in order before getting braces. In general, I am afraid to treat my teeth, but the doctor was as patient as possible. For example, I was frightened by the sight of the syringe used to numb the pain, and the doctor had to reassure me. As a result, all the appointments were comfortable and painless for me, so I wanted to thank the doctor from the bottom of my heart.

   9 unusual gadgets as a gift: from a flash drive with a password to a smart umbrella

   Candy and alcohol are also not accepted as gifts. I remembered that the doctor once mentioned to his assistant about back pain after a working day. Well, I gave him an electric neck massager: you plug it into an outlet, lie down on it, and two rollers spin, rubbing your muscles. The doctor was very surprised and delighted with such a gift.

   Gift No. 6

   Flowers, cakes and souvenirs
   

   Lena Schatz
   thanked the doctors from the bottom of my heart

   I gave birth in a commercial maternity hospital. There, doctors are thanked in many ways: with flowers, cakes, all sorts of souvenirs. And this is real from the heart, not a bribe, since the cost of a delivery contract can reach up to a million. Of course, this is not the case everywhere. Corruption is being counteracted in some hospitals, and doctors, when you say that you would like to thank them, squeal and kick you out of the office.

   Gift No. 7

   woolen plaid
   

   I have an excellent therapist in my outpatient clinic. I’ve been going to her for more than a year – now with a cold, now with some other problem. Always polite, despite the large flow of patients, and still does not prescribe fuflomycins, which in general is now a rarity among polyclinic doctors.

   She moved into a new office last winter, where it’s terribly cold. He and the nurse warmed themselves with an ordinary wind blower, but still, even I froze for a miserable 10-15 minutes of taking it. On New Year’s Eve, I decided to give a woolen blanket so that even in January it would not freeze and receive patients in comfort.