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So You Want To Be An Osteopath…

A bona fide medical profession, becoming a doctor of osteopathy is an increasingly popular choice of occupation. It is by no means an easy undertaking and much like any other medical doctor, becoming a D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) requires time, money, determination, and education. There is a very well defined career path for any budding D.O.s. Do you have what it takes?

First and foremost, you must complete an undergraduate degree with a focal point on science. Although it is somewhat immaterial if you opt for biology over chemistry, the fact of the matter is that it is crucial to have that science degree before setting your sights on medical school. Next, you are required to sign up for inclusion in the medical college admissions test, also known as the MCAT. Once you pass this test, you are eligible to apply for medical school.

After medical school graduation, you complete a specific year long internship that focuses on osteopathy. If you choose to specialize, such as pediatrics or sports medicine, factor in an additional 24 months or longer. During the course of your professional preparation, you are likely to have spent at least two years actually working in the osteopathic field. When combined with the medical experience you are sharing with other M.D.s who may be opting for a different path, you are likely to emerge from medical school as a very well rounded individual intent on patient care on a more personal level.

As you can see, a holistic medicine education is in no way easier to achieve and realize than a traditional medical education. Moreover, the additional study and specialization that are required will cost you extra time and money. On the plus side, this additional training and the focus on non-invasive and non-prescription means for patient treatment, when appropriate, will assure you a thriving medical practice.

The average patient has become clearly disenchanted with the status quo of healthcare and there are many more who joint their ranks daily. The rising cost of medication combined with the adverse effects that are discovered on a daily basis have given pause to those who would rely on the old adage that advocated better living through chemistry. Instead, the hunt is on for practitioners that can prevent ailments well ahead of the first symptoms and for those who do not require the copious use of invasive procedure to simply control or manage pain.

So, do you have what it takes to become a D.O.? Do you have the time, money, and determination to keep on going even when your colleagues are already setting up their practices? As you can see, there is a lot more to entering the field of alternative health and complementary health practices than just hanging out a shingle. Sadly, many are misguided by those in the field who assume false credentials and thus assume a position in the medical field that is not rightfully theirs. A D.O. is a bona fide doctor with all the licensed, degrees, education, and credentialed required in the United States to practice medicine.