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