Are you interested in visiting a healthcare professional for a checkup? Perhaps you are considering a future career path? If so understanding the differences between each field is critical. Thankfully, we are here to help you understand the differences between an MD and a DO in the simplest way possible.
Is There a Difference Between MD & DO?
There is actually a difference between the two although both offer medical intervention. The main difference between DO and MD is that each approaches medicine in a different manner. The tenants of each field vary slightly. The reason a person decides to enter the medical field will often play a big role in which medical program they ultimately decide to pursue. Let’s take a closer look at some of the main differences in the next sections.
#1 Philosophical Differences
MD programs are for healthcare professionals who focus more on evidence-based patient evaluation. DO programs are for healthcare professionals that focus more on the whole patient as opposed to individual parts. Both fields are science-based, however, MD focuses on one section of the body at a time while DO focuses on the body as a whole.
#2 Holistic Versus Primary Care
As mentioned, DO and MD are both based on science. DOs practice holistic care that is mainly preventative. This is often expressed through treating the whole body and ensuring health. MDs focus on treating diseases once they begin to trigger symptoms. Treatments are derived from discovering the source of the ailment in the body or individual parts. They also offer preventative care, but it’s not a focus.
#3 Career Paths
Just like any industry the medical field encourages professionals to build a personal brand. DO and MD naturally build a brand for themselves based on their beliefs and their chosen specialties. In most cases, physicians who become DOs will choose from primary care specialties such as internal medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine. Physicians who become MDs tend to focus more on specialties such as orthopedics, dermatology, cardiovascular care, and so on. Of course, MDs and DOs can choose any specialties, but they tend to focus on the more common paths. DOs choose whole-body specialties while MDs focus more on specific areas of the body.
#4 Coursework Differences
Both MDs and Dos will complete a bachelor’s degree followed by at least four years of medical school. They will also complete a one-year internship followed by a residency that can last up to seven years. Where things differ is that DO physicians will complete 200 hours more in coursework than their MD physician counterparts. The extra coursework will teach DO physicians how the nerves, bones, and muscles in the body affect a person’s overall health. This is then used to help train them in OMM diagnosis techniques and comprehensive preventative healing methods.
Final Thoughts
The specialty a physician wants to pursue will often dictate their path as an MD or a DO. Both are valuable members of the medical field who are dedicated to helping people live their lives as healthily as possible. DO physicians do tend to have fewer, but more general options to choose from upon graduation. MD physicians have more options upon graduation, however, their specialties are more focused. When choosing a provider or a career path, it really boils down to personal preference since both types are equally qualified.
