Can you be a Doctor of Medicine and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine?

Answer 1

Answer:

You could be, but there is really no reason to do that. Because, in the U.S., there are these two equivalent doctoral degrees that can lead to licensure as a physician: The M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) degree and the D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. Since holders of either degree can be licensed to practice in any specialty, prescribe drugs, perform surgery, etc., there would be no reason to practice medicine as both an M.D. and a D.O., although there are no laws that would disallow it.

More information:

The training for these professions, with the different medical degrees of M.D. and D.O., is given in two distinct types of medical schools. The basic training is essentially equivalent, except the D.O. programs include more training in the musculo-skeletal system in regards to different manual manipulation procedures, similar to some things that Chiropractors do. M.D. programs do not include the extra semesters of this particular training. And, once a graduate of either type of training passes the health licensing board exams in the US state in which they intend to practice medicine, the state medical practice acts that describe what they can legally do under that licensing, allow essentially the same services to be provided to patients by either type of licensed doctor.

Both D.O.s and M.D.s can receive board certification in any specialty area of medicine, e.g., oncology, orthopedic surgery, family practice, pediatrics, etc., and either can apply for and receive "board certification" in their area of specialty or subspecialty, when they meet the requirements for membership in the specific "board". A medical "board" is a peer organization that doctors join by meeting the criteria for membership, which demonstrates their competency in that specialty. The specific criteria varies depending on the specialty area. Board certified doctors must also meet the specific board's continuing education requirements to maintain certification. One of the more well known and respected medical specialty boards is the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Both an M.D. and a D.O. can be board certified in a specific area of specialty practice by the ABMS, when they meet the membership requirements.

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Answer 2

A Doctor Of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) is a type of physician, also known as a medical doctor, just like a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) While the history of allopathic medicine (M.D.) traces its roots back thousands of years the Osteopathic medicine is a fairly new invention starting with Andrew Taylor (A.T.) Still in the late 1800's. A.T. Still was an M.D. by training that thought there was a better way to treat people than using the current medicines of the time which many of were toxic. He started using manipulation called Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) to manipulate the body with the belief that the body is a self-healing organism and if all of its parts are in order, that health could be achieved in the patient.

Modern D.O.s are trained in much the same way as M.D.s with the exception of the additional training D.O.s take learning and practicing OMT. They are both fully licensed physicians and are able to hold all the same residencies and utilize pharmaceutical treatments and medical interventions as neccessary. The point that seems to drive home the equality is that D.O.s and M.D.s get paid the same amount for the same jobs.

Chances are you have been treated by a D.O. and didn't even realize it. Next time your in the hospital look at the initials on the degree behind who's treating you.

Answer 3

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) and Doctors of Medicine (M.D.) are both full-fledged physicians trained in the United States who attend four years of medical school and are eligible to specialize in any field of medicine after residency training. Additionally, both DOs and MDs may sit for board certification examinations and each type of physician has the same legal and medical responsibilities such as prescribing medications, performing surgery, working in the hospital, medical diagnosis, etc. The difference between a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of Medicine is a slight one-Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, in addition to the standard medical curriculum, receive 300-500 hours of instruction in a form of manual therapy known as osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM). This form of therapy is another approach sometimes used by DOs to address a patient's musculoskeletal issues.