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Comparing and Contrasting Doctors of Osteopathy and Doctors of Medicine

A medical professional who is fully licensed and credentialed may elect to become a M.D. (doctor of medicine) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy). The medical training that each doctor undergoes is more or less identical, but doctors of osteopathy receive additional training in musculoskeletal interconnectivity and the way it relates to the overall health and wellbeing of the human body. The relationship of both disciplines was marred in the past by a thinly veiled level of rivalry that led to a lot of misconceptions being voiced by both sides.

When comparing the numbers of currently practicing D.O.s and M.D.s it quickly becomes obvious that M.D.s outnumber D.O.s on a five to one margin. One of the marked differences in the approach to medical care is the way in which D.O.s and M.D.s relate to their patients. While M.D.s are considered formal and old school, D.O.s are marked for their lighthearted, personable and also at times unconventional approach t medical care. Working hard to see the patient as a whole -- as opposed to a collection of symptoms or conditions that require curing -- D.O.s report having an easier time gaining cooperation from their patients.

Emphasizing the need for personal interaction, D.O.s value hands on methods when it comes to examining a patient; they also realize that spending time to get to know the patient and her or his family is a most valuable undertaking. An M.D. generally strives to work hard to minimize the amount of time they spend with a patient and the patient's family, and instead rely heavily on lab results, scientific data, and written family histories. This is considered a scientific approach and the average M.D. believes that it will lead to an unbiased diagnosis not swayed by personal impressions that may rely on individual preferences or experiences.

There are of course advantages as well as disadvantages to both modes of treatment, and it is hard to say which approach merits more attention and praise. By and large it is fair to say that the patient must decide which kind of doctor/patient interaction will be most advantageous on a case by case basis. Many have found the more personalized attention the D.O. pays to them to be helpful when trying to revamp their lives and get rid of unhealthy patterns and lifestyle choices. On the other hand, patients who want to go by the book and only rely on their laboratory results to receive medical care - perhaps they are torn between the best courses of action for a medical condition - will almost always do better under the care of an M.D.

Since both practitioners have comparable medical education and expertise, it is truly the patient's decision to make which kind of treatment option is best for them. There is little doubt that medical care as it stands will need to combine some aspects of both disciplines to truly provide patients with the best possible care money can buy. It is not until patients speak out more succinctly about their needs that this is likely to happen.