Allopathic vs. Osteopathic Medicine…?
Can any physicians or medical students tell me the difference between MD and DO? I know they are obviously different degrees and schools but is there any difference in education (amount and quality) or specialties or salary?
There is not difference in specialties or salary. The education is similar, except you also learn manipulations in the DO schools. Basically you learn a little bit more in the DO schools, but it is not a huge difference. As far as residencies, you actually have more opportunities as a DO, you can apply to both the allopathic and osteopathic residencies, whereas an MD can only apply to MD residencies. The MD degree carries a little more prestige, but the differences aren't as great as they used to be.
Posted in osteopathic medical schools
December 14th, 2008 at 3:03 am
Allopathic Medicine means treating a disease with medicines that have a opposite effect to the disease.
Treat diabetes with medicines that control or lower blood sugar.
Osteopatic Medicine originally a medicine based on manipulation of the bone and muscle to promote structural integrity. It has evolved to embrace all of the medicines of Allopathic medicine plus manipulation with a more whole body view.
Today there is little difference between the two different degrees. There is a slight stigma in some parts of the upper class urban setting as to the quality of D.O. training.
It is usually a little easier to get into a D.O. school but you have to take the same tests to be liscenced to practice.
As far as specialties, a D.O. can match into any specialty but there is a slight preference for family or internal medicine.
References :
December 14th, 2008 at 3:22 am
There is not difference in specialties or salary. The education is similar, except you also learn manipulations in the DO schools. Basically you learn a little bit more in the DO schools, but it is not a huge difference. As far as residencies, you actually have more opportunities as a DO, you can apply to both the allopathic and osteopathic residencies, whereas an MD can only apply to MD residencies. The MD degree carries a little more prestige, but the differences aren't as great as they used to be.
References :
first year DO student