Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) are fully licensed physicians who serve as Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) across the United States. They are a distinct yet equal branch of the medical profession, providing comprehensive medical care. Choosing a DO as a PCP offers patients a highly qualified medical professional who integrates traditional medical science with a specific philosophical approach to wellness.
DOs as Primary Care Physicians
A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is fully qualified to serve as a primary care physician, handling all aspects of routine and preventive health care. DOs are highly concentrated in primary care fields, including Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics. Approximately 57% of actively practicing osteopathic physicians choose a primary care specialty, a higher percentage than their allopathic (MD) counterparts. A DO primary care physician manages chronic conditions, provides preventative screenings, and serves as the initial point of contact for acute illnesses and injuries.
Understanding the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) Degree
The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree grants the holder the same practice rights and medical license as a Doctor of Medicine (MD). DOs are authorized to practice medicine and surgery in all 50 states and are held to the same standards of care as their MD colleagues. Graduation requires four years of medical education followed by a multi-year residency program. The rigorous licensing process involves passing national board examinations, specifically the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA).
Core Differences: The Osteopathic Philosophy
Osteopathic medicine is grounded in a philosophy that informs a DO’s approach to patient care, emphasizing a unified understanding of the human body. This philosophy is built upon four core tenets that distinguish their training from the traditional allopathic model. These principles focus on treating the person, not just the disease, and are integrated into every aspect of a DO’s practice.
Whole-Person Approach
This principle recognizes that the body is a unit of body, mind, and spirit, meaning a disturbance in one area can affect the entire person. A DO looks beyond a patient’s immediate symptoms to consider the impact of lifestyle, environment, and emotional well-being on overall health. This comprehensive view ensures that treatment plans are tailored to the individual, addressing the root causes of dysfunction rather than merely suppressing symptoms.
Focus on Prevention
Osteopathic physicians place a strong emphasis on wellness and disease prevention. This approach involves counseling patients on healthy habits, such as proper diet, exercise, and stress reduction, to proactively maintain health. By focusing on optimizing health, DOs aim to strengthen the patient’s defenses against illness, which aligns with the goals of primary care.
Innate Healing
A foundational belief in osteopathic medicine is that the body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance. When illness or injury occurs, a DO works to identify and remove obstacles preventing the body’s natural restorative processes. Treatment is based on supporting this inherent capacity for recovery, often complementing modern medical interventions.
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a hands-on method used by DOs to diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of conditions. This technique involves using the hands to apply gentle pressure, stretching, and resistance to a patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. OMT is specifically taught in medical schools to address somatic dysfunction, which involves impaired functions of the musculoskeletal, nervous, or lymphatic systems. These manipulations can help restore mobility, improve circulation, and alleviate pain, serving as a non-pharmacological option for issues like low back pain and headaches.
Comparing Medical Education and Training
The educational path for both DOs and MDs is similar, designed to ensure both are fully prepared to practice medicine. Both complete the same pre-medical requirements, followed by four years of study including basic sciences and extensive clinical rotations. The major curriculum difference is the additional 300 to 500 hours of training in osteopathic principles and OMT that DO students receive.
Following medical school, both DOs and MDs complete postgraduate training in residency programs. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) now accredits nearly all residency programs, ensuring DOs and MDs train side-by-side and are eligible for the same specialty training and board certifications.
Specialties and Scope of Practice for DOs
The DO degree is not limited to primary care, as these physicians practice across the full spectrum of medical specialties. While a majority of DOs are in primary care, nearly 44% pursue non-primary care specialties. This breadth of practice includes fields such as emergency medicine, general surgery, cardiology, psychiatry, and orthopedics. Their philosophical training is carried into all specialties, allowing them to apply the whole-person approach even when practicing highly specialized medicine.
Finding and Choosing a DO Primary Care Physician
Identifying a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is straightforward, as the physician’s credentials will always include the letters “DO” after their name. To find a DO primary care physician, utilize standard online provider search tools provided by health systems, insurance networks, and professional organizations. When selecting a PCP, focus on practical factors that affect your care. Consider the physician’s communication style, hospital affiliations, and whether their office hours align with your needs. Always verify that the physician participates in your specific insurance network to manage costs and ensure coverage.