DOCTOR OF OSTEOPATHY, DO

Megan McLelland

WHAT IS A DO? Physician Focus on primary care Manual medicine (less common in MD)

May include spinal manipulation, massage therapy2

Holistic outlook

HISTORY OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE2

Dr. Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917): founder Born in Virginia Became MD (like his father) Served in the Union Army during the Civil War (surgeon) 3 of his children died from spinal meningitis

This and his experience in the field led him to believe orthodox medicine was harmful and ineffective

Spent his following ten years studying human body and alternative treatment

1892: Dr. Still opened first osteopathic school in Missouri

DR. STILL’S FINDINGS2

The musculoskeletal system is vital in health and disease.

The body contains the elements needed for health.

OMM (osteopathic manipulative medicine) improves body’s functioning and ability to heal.

Promoted preventive medicine Physicians should treat the whole patient (not just

disease or symptoms).

SALARY RANGE4

GROWTH POTENTIAL5

AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC ASSOCIATION5 SELF-IDENTIFIED SPECIALTIES (2013)

Family/General Practice: 36.9% General Internal Medicine: 13.0% Pediatrics and adolescent medicine: 5.8% Obstetrics: 4.6% Osteopathic manipulative medicine: 1.9% Other: 37.7%

REQUIREMENTS FOR DO SCHOOL(VCOM)1

1. Undergraduate degree (min. 90 credit hours)2. GPA of 3.2 or higher3. Prerequisite courses:

1. Biological sciences with lab (8 hours)2. Chemistry (6-8 hours)3. Physics (6-8 hours)4. Organic chemistry (6-8 hours)5. English (6 hours)6. 6 hours of biomedical sciences (Anatomy, Physiology,

Biochemistry, etc.)7. Minimum letter grade accepted is “C”. Recommended

minimum for acceptance is “B”.4. Competitive MCAT score is 24 (using old scoring)

COST OF DO SCHOOL (VCOM)3

Tuition: $43,800 per year Living and other expenses: $26,000-29,000 per year

After 4 year program: $175,200 in tuition $110,000 in expenses

Total cost: $285,200

DO VERSUS MD7

Doctor of Osteopathy Medical DoctorOsteopathic AllopathicTreat the person as a whole rather than focus on symptoms

Treat symptoms using drugs/surgery

Licensed in all 50 states Licensed in all 50 statesPrescribe medication Prescribe medicationPerform surgery Perform surgeryMust complete accredited medical residency

Must complete accredited medical residency

Focus on primary care Diverse specialties300-500 hours on skeletal system/interaction of body with disease

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Focus on understanding patient’s lifestyle

Focus on understanding symptoms/ immediate disease

CANDIDACY I am a good candidate for a career as a DO because…

I have a high investigative score (searching for facts and figuring out problems) which is important in the medical field. When presented with a patient, I will need to treat the patient as well as search for the true cause of the patient’s condition/illness.

I have a high artistic score (creativity within work). I think this is important because when I see a problem, I have the ability to look at it from multiple perspectives with many creative ways to solve it.

I have a high social score (giving advice, helping and being of service to people), and this is extremely important in medicine since I will be interacting with my patients and their families on a daily basis.

CONCLUSION Doctors of Osteopathy are becoming increasingly

common and usually place a large emphasis on primary/general care.

The differences between DO’s and MD’s are less obvious now than ever before

SOURCES1. "Admissions Requirements." VCOM. Edward Via College of

Osteopathic Medicine, 2016. Web. 30 Aug. 2016.2. "Consumer Health." Osteopathic Medicine: What Kind of

Doctor Is a D.O.? Mayo Clinic, 14 Jan. 2016. Web. 27 Aug. 2016.

3. "Cost of Attendance." Home. American Osteopathic Association, 2016. Web. 30 Aug. 2016.2.

4. "Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) Degree Average Salary." Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) Degree Salary, Average Salaries. PayScale, 2016. Web. 27 Aug. 2016.

5. "Osteopathic Medical Profession Report." Osteopathic Medical Profession Report. American Osteopathic Association, 2015. Web. 27 Aug. 2016.

6. "Osteopathic Physician Specialties." Osteopathic Physician Specialties. American Osteopathic Association, 2016. Web. 30 Aug. 2016.

7. "The Difference between an M.D. and D.O." Your Doctor: The Difference between an M.D. and D.O. Piedmont Health Care, 2016. Web. 30 Aug. 2016.