If you’re trying to determine the difference between an MD and a DO, you almost certainly fit into one of two categories. You’re either a student considering a career in medicine or a patient wondering what exactly the difference is.
What is an MD?
When most people think of a physician, they’re thinking of an M.D. – standing for Medical Doctor or Doctor of Medicine. MD’s practice a form of medicine called allopathic. James Whorton, the man credited with coining the phrase, explained that Doctors of Medicine (M.D.’s) use treatments that affect someone who’s ill differently than someone who’s healthy. For example, an antibiotic taken by someone without a bacterial infection would not improve his or her health.
Medical Doctors (MDs) in the United States attend medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
What is a DO?
Short for Osteopathic Doctor, DO’s receive their medical degree from a U.S. osteopathic school. Unlike MD’s, a DO is accredited by the American Osteopathic Associate Commission within the Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).
D.O.’s are trained to have a more holistic approach to medicine and follow a medical philosophy called osteopathic medicine. DO’s are trained to consider a patient’s environment, nutrition, and body system as a whole when diagnosing and treating medical conditions.
Similarities between MD’s & DO’s
Both MD and DO physicians base diagnosis and treatment recommendations on scientifically-proven conclusions.
Attend 4 years of medical school, plus a residency program ranging from 3-7 years
Are licensed by the same state licensing boards, i.e. both MDs and DOs must meet the same requirements to practice medicine
Can practice medicine in all 50 states.
Are found in every type of specialty medicine.
Follow the same undergraduate academic path – a bachelor’s degree, Pre Med coursework, and taking the MCAT
Primary Differences between DOs & MDs
Medical students attending osteopathic schools (DOs) must take an additional 200 hours of training learning manipulation techniques of the musculoskeletal system.
DO physicians tend to be primary care physicians, whereas U.S.M.D.’s tend to specialize in more specific types of medicine (Dermatology, Cardiology, Orthopedics, etc.)
In the United States, 67.4% of active physicians are M.D.s vs. 7.3% which are D.O.s (The remaining 24.2% received their degree from a medical school outside of the United States.)
DO students take the Comprehensive Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). MD medical students take the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE).
Summary: Understanding DO vs MD
In the United States, doctors are either an MD (allopathic doctor) or DO (osteopathic doctor). For patients, there’s virtually no difference between treatment by a DO vs MD. In other words, you should be equally comfortable if your doctor is an M.D. or a D.O.
PM&R is often called the quality of life profession because its aim is to enhance patient performance. The focus is not on one part of the body, but instead on the development of a comprehensive program for helping a patient return to normal function – after injury or disease click to find out more. PM&R physicians manage issues that span the entire spectrum, from complicated neck and back pain, to multiple trauma to injury prevention for athletes, as well as work related injuries. PM&R physicians have broad-based practices that encompass many different types of patients. Once they have a diagnosis, PM&R physicians design a treatment plan that can be carried out by the patients themselves, or with the help of the rehabilitation physician’s medical team. Make your appointment today to see Dr. Vashi! Call 262-764-5595
Orthopedic surgery is the branch of medicine concerned with diseases, injuries, and conditions of the musculoskeletal system relating to the body’s muscles and skeleton, and including the joints, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.
Who treats orthopedic conditions?
Orthopedic conditions may be treated by your doctor or other medical specialists and healthcare providers. Several doctors from different medical specialties may be involved in the treatment at the same time. This approach is important to manage the symptoms of an orthopedic condition, especially as many symptoms are chronic and change over time. Some of the more common medical professionals involved in the treatment of orthopedic conditions may include:
Primary care doctor
A primary care doctor has specialized education and training in general internal medicine, family practice, or another first-level-of-care area. Primary care doctors are those who provide patients with any/all of the following:
Routine health care (including annual physical exams and immunizations)
Treatment for acute medical conditions
Initial care for conditions that may become more serious or chronic in nature
While your primary care doctor may treat and diagnose your disease, he or she may refer you to a specialist for more specialized treatment of certain aspects of a disease.
Orthopedic surgeon
This doctor specializes in orthopedic surgery. He or she may also be called an orthopedist. Orthopedists are educated in the workings of the musculoskeletal system. They can diagnose bone, muscle, joint, tendon, or ligament conditions, treat an injury, provide rehabilitation, and advise on how to prevent further damage to a diseased area.
The orthopedist may have completed up to 14 years of formal education. After becoming licensed to practice medicine, the orthopedic surgeon may become board-certified by passing both oral and written examinations given by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Many orthopedic surgeons choose to practice general orthopedics. Others specialize in certain areas of the body such as the foot, hand, shoulder, spine, hip, or knee. Other specialize in an area of orthopedic care such as sports medicine or trauma medicine. Some orthopedists may specialize in several areas and may collaborate with other specialists, such as neurosurgeons or rheumatologists, in caring for patients.
Primary care sports medicine physician
Primary care physician has extra fellowship training in musculoskeletal injuries and other problems that affect athletes. This type of physician can manage many orthopedic problems while also recognizing which cases need surgery.
Rheumatologist
A rheumatologist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases that may affect joints, muscles, bones, skin, and other tissues. Most rheumatologists have a background in internal medicine or pediatrics and have received additional training in the field of rheumatology. Rheumatologists are specially trained to identify many types of rheumatic diseases in their earliest stages. This includes arthritis, many types of autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal pain, and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. In addition to 4 years of medical school and 3 years of specialized training in internal medicine or pediatrics, a rheumatologist has had an additional 2 or 3 years of specialized training in the field of rheumatology. A rheumatologist may also be board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Physical therapist
Physical therapy is the health profession that focuses on the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and cardiopulmonary systems of the human body, as these systems relate to human motion, health, and function.
Physical therapists, or PTs, are very important members of the healthcare team. They evaluate and provide treatment for people with health problems resulting from injury, disease, or overuse of muscles, ligaments, or tendons.
Physical therapists have an undergraduate degree in physical therapy, and many have a master’s degree. All graduates must be licensed by their state by passing a national certification examination before they can practice.
Physical therapists may practice in a variety of settings, including:
Hospitals
Rehabilitation centers
Home health agencies
Schools
Sports facilities
Community health centers
Private practice
As related to orthopedic conditions, physical therapists provide comprehensive training such as:
Functional mobility
Balance and gait retraining
Soft-tissue mobilization
Body mechanics education
Wheelchair safety and management
Neuromuscular re-education
Exercise programming
Family education and training
Help with pain relief and management
Instruction in walking safely
Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation
Occupational therapist
Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that uses “occupation,” or purposeful activity, to help people with physical, developmental, or emotional disabilities lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives.
An occupational therapist often coordinates the following in the care for a person with a debilitating condition, such as an orthopedic condition:
Evaluating children and adults with developmental or neuromuscular problems in order to plan treatment activities that will help them grow mentally, socially, and physically
Helping children and adults in learning how to carry out daily tasks
Conducting group or individual treatment to help children and adults in a mental health center learn to cope with daily activities
Recommending changes in layout and design of the home or school to allow children and adults with injuries or disabilities greater access and mobility
Occupational therapists work in a variety of different settings, including:
Hospitals
Rehabilitation centers
Schools
Home care agencies
Private practice
Government agencies
Physiatrist
Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also known as physiatry, is a medical specialty that involves the process of restoring lost abilities for a person who has been disabled as a result of disease, disorder, or injury. Physiatry provides integrated, multidisciplinary care aimed at recovery of the whole person by addressing the patient’s physical, psychological, medical, vocational, and social needs. The doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation is called a physiatrist.
Podiatrist
A podiatrist specializes in foot care and is licensed to prescribe medicine and perform surgery.
Nurses/nurse practitioners and physician assistants
Other providers who specialize in the care of orthopedic conditions may assist your doctor in providing care.
Other providers
Depending on the specific condition involved, other doctors and healthcare professionals, such as pain specialists, may be involved in treating orthopedic conditions. For example, a neurologist or neurosurgeon may assist in treating problems involving the spine because of involvement of the spinal cord. Occupational therapists may be involved in treating conditions that require rehabilitation. Occupational therapists often work in conjunction with physical therapists.
