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M.D. or D.O. - Whom Should You Pick?

There is a discussion in the American healthcare system that focuses on whether or not to use the services of a medical doctor (M.D.) or a doctor of osteopathy (D.O.). Both are highly educated, trained, and degreed, licensed, and accredited medical healthcare providers. Insurance companies recognize both disciplines are being opposite sides of the same coin and for this reason they cover the services of a D.O. in the same way they cover the healthcare offered by a M.D.; this makes it the final choice of the patient whether or not to choose one provider over another.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Care Through A M.D.?

You are a good candidate for working with a M.D. versus a D.O. if you do not want to spend a lot of time and effort on your healthcare. Office visits with M.D.s are generally short, to the point, and focus on the problem at hand. They are systematic, may include a number of lab tests and other fact finding endeavors, and they are generally also much less frequent.

The M.D. will arrive at a diagnosis, and when appropriate prescribe a medication that will lessen the symptom and sometimes may also lead to a treatment of the root cause. In other cases the doctor may opt for a referral to specialist who will take charge of the body part or organic system in question.

Who Is A Good Candidate for Care Through A D.O.?

Patients who like the idea of being intimately involved in their medical care and generally abhor prescriptions are great candidates for this kind of doctor. The stock in trade for a D.O. is musculoskeletal manipulation which is known to cause far reaching healing for the body and encourages the body's own self healing properties. Although prescriptions are an option, there are used very sparingly.

Engaging in a treatment regimen with a D.O. may be a time consuming undertaking. After all, many times the manipulations have to be spaced apart at precise intervals, and thus it is up to the patient to make the effort to make and keep the appointments. Furthermore, there is a lot of at-home follow up care and exercise that needs to be done in order to support the in office work that is accomplished during the visit at the D.O. appointment.

Treatment Advantages

The advantages of the treatment vary. If the patients visit the kind of physician that fits their unique personality, there are some distinct advantages. Moreover, if the patients recognize that expectations they have and then find them fulfilled, they are more likely of seeking out treatment for subsequent illnesses and ailments. On the other hand, if the patient is not seeking out help from a treatment provider who is not in keeping with their personality, there is a good chance that the collaboration between patient and healer - which is crucial to the success of any therapy - will not take place. It is then that healing is not achieved for one patient, while another may have an entirely different experience with a similar condition.