Did you know?
The Doctor of Osteopathy degree entitles a physician to all
the same rights and opportunities as an M.D. Furthermore, the
D.O. education focuses on preventive health care, the role of the
musculoskeletal system, and treating the patient as a whole
person. Sound interesting? Consider the following fact that 68%
more D.O. graduates choose careers in primary care (49.4% vs.
82.9%).
This statistic reinforces the claims of osteopathic
institutions that compared to traditional medical programs, their
students receive more personal attention and are more likely to
become primary care physicians. Osteopathic schools receive 3.5
applicants for each person admitted compared with 2.4 for
allopathic schools. This may be due to the fact that osteopathic
school admissions are more geared towards identifying other
variables besides grades and test scores, a process intended to
produce more empathic physicians.
D.O. vs. M.D.
The field of osteopathic medicine was pioneered in 1874 by Andrew Taylor
Still, a medical doctor who was interested in exploring health
care options outside of traditional medicine. He purported the
idea that diseases were curable by manipulating the "deranged,
displaced bones, nerves, muscles – removing all obstructions –
thereby setting the machinery of life moving." D.O.s are very
similar to M.D.s. Consider the following:
- Both typically start with a scientific 4-year degree
- Both undergo a four-year medical program
- Both complete a residency afterwards (osteopaths can enter
traditional residencies)
- Both can specialize, although a lower percentage of
osteopaths do
- Both take state licensing exams
Upward Mobility
Osteopathic Medicine is on an upswing. Consider that:
- The number of graduates has nearly doubled from
1,059 in 1980 to 2,009 in 1997. Over the same time period,
allopathic graduates have increased only 5%, from 15,135 to
15,923.
- Osteopathic physicians address needs for medicine in underserved rural
areas, with 18.1% of osteopaths choosing such locations versus
11.5% of traditional doctors.
- Osteopathic practice and programs, being smaller
and more community-based, can more quickly respond to changing
trends in health care delivery.
For a list of osteopathy schools, visit the AOA web
site.