How does osteopathy in the UK differ from osteopathic medicine in the US?

Answer 1

This answer needs more attention than I can give it right now. But, basically...

Osteopaths in the UK are much like chiropractors and are limited to manipulation and are not physicians. Most receive training at a Bachelor's or Master's degree level.

On the other hand, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs), also known as osteopathic physicians in the US, receive a four year medical education and, in addition, receive training in manipulation. They are largely indistinguishable from Doctors of Medicine (MDs). Just like MDs, many DOs go on to receive residency training to specialize in any medical field, sit for board certification examinations, etc.

Very simple: American DOs are comprehensive physicians licenced to prescribe drugs & perform surgery; British Osteopaths are not.

In the UK Osteopaths are subject to statutory regulation; training is extensive, covering much of the same basic medical science as trainee doctors, but the clinical component is largely limited to osteopathic philosophy, methods & techniques. Qualification as a registered Osteopath requires successful completion of an accredited training course at one of the Osteopathic Schools (3-4 years), satisfactory performance in postgraduate training for independent practice (2-3 years), & all must demonstrate on-going professional development to maintain registration. A UK registered Osteopath is a member of a "profession allied to medicine", & although they often use diagnostic techniques (eg X Ray, Ultrasound etc) found in modern medicine, carry out general physical examinations etc, they are not licenced to prescribe medication nor conduct invasive procedures.

A few osteopaths work in the National Health Service, but these are very rare; the majority are in private practice. Ethical practice requires them to liaise closely with patients' doctors, & it's not uncommon for family doctors (GPs) to refer patients (especially those with intractable back or other musculo-skeletal problems) to osteopaths. Indeed, it's not uncommon for medical doctors to consult osteopaths about their own health problems.

Generally, Osteopaths are well regarded in the UK as practitioners supplementary to "mainstream" medicine. Often they provide symptom/ pain relief, or diagnose underlying causes, of problems that have proved unresponsive to allopathic medical interventions. Osteopaths are particularly active in Sports Medicine & related areas, eg supporting dancers/ performance artists.

NB - the American DO degree is a registerable primary medical qualification with the British General Medical Council; American trained DOs may, therefore, practise as doctors in the UK. Some confusion may, however, arise over post-nominals: in the UK there is a specialist medical qualification (the Diploma in Opthalmology) that is abbreviated "DO".