Download - The D.O. Difference
The D.O. Difference
Prepared by the American Osteopathic Association
What Is a D.O.?
• D.O.s are fully licensed physicians who:– Prescribe medicine. – Focus on
preventative health care.
– Practice a "whole person" approach to medicine.
Why Become a D.O.?
• History of the profession.
• Osteopathic medicine today.
• Similarities between D.O.s and M.Ds.
• The D.O. Difference.
History of the Profession
• Andrew Taylor Still, M.D., D.O.
• Founder of Osteopathic Medicine.
First Osteopathic Medical School, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
D.O.s Have Been Making a Difference for More Than a Century
Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O.
Col. Ronald A. Maul, D.O., M.C., U.S.A.
Similarities Between D.O.s and M.Ds.
• Fully licensed physicians.
• Four years of medical education.
• Choose any specialty area.
The Similarities Continue…
• Pass state licensing exams.
• Prescribe medication and perform surgery.
• Covered by major insurance plans.
• Practice in fully accredited and licensed facilities.
The D.O. Difference
• D.O.s practice a whole person approach to care.
• D.O.s utilize Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT).
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)
• Requires hands-on approach.
• Enables D.O.s to treat and diagnose injuries or illnesses.
D.O.s Treat the Whole Person
• D.O.s believe a person is more than just the sum of their parts.
Osteopathic Medicine Today
• As of 2010, there are 30 osteopathic medical schools.
• 63,120 D.O.s in the U.S. That is 7% of the physicians in The US!
Requirements
MCAT Verbal 8.10Physical 8.08Biology 8.54
Overall GPA 3.43Science GPA
3.36
The average osteopathic medical school applicant meets the following requirements:
Contact Information
American Osteopathic Association 142 E. Ontario St.Chicago, IL 60611
(800) 621-1773
www.osteopathic.org or www.aacom.org