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If you're like most people, you've been going to a doctor since you were born and perhaps were not aware whether you were seeing a D.O. (osteopathic physician) or an M.D. (allopathic physician). You may not even be aware that there are two types of physicians in the United States. As fully licensed physicians, the osteopathic physician (D.O.) embraces a holistic philosophy, considering the body as a unit of interrelated systems (mind-body-spirit) that work together to ensure optimal health. Osteopathic physicians, as well as allopathic physicians (M.D.'s), practice traditional forms of medicine, prescribe medications, and perform surgery.
Facts are:
- Applicants to D.O. and M.D. colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on science courses.
- D.O.s and M.D.s complete four years of basic medical education.
- After medical school, D.O.s and M.D.s can chOose to practice in a specialty area of medicine-such as psychiatry, surgery or
obstetrics-after completing a residency program (typically two
to six years of additional training).
- D.O.s and M.D.s must pass national and state licensing
examinations.
- D.O.s and M.D.s practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers.
- Osteopathic medical schools emphasize training students to be primary care physicians.
- D.O.s practice a "whole person" approach to medicine. Instead
of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, they regard the body as an integrated whole.
- Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive healthcare.
- D.O.s receive specialized training in the musculoskeletal
system - your body's interconnected system of nerves, muscle,
and bones that make up two-thirds of its body mass. This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better
understanding of the ways that an injury or illness in one part
of your body can affect another. It gives D.O.s a therapeutic and diagnostic advantage.
- Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is incorporated in the training and practice af osteopathic physicians. With OMT,
osteopathic physicians use their hands to diagnose injury and
illness and to encourage your body's natural tendency toward good health.
- By the year 2005, it is expected that 51 ,500 D.O.s will be
practicing in the United States.
- Over half of all D.O.s practice in the primary care areas of general practice, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, and pediatrics.
- D.O.s represent 5.5% of the total U.S. physician population and
10% of all U.S. military physicians.
- Each year 100 million patient visits are made to D.O.s.
The Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM), a
College of A. T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU), was
founded in Kirksville, Missouri, in 1892. There are now 20 colleges of osteopathic medicine educating nearly 11,000 students a year.
In addition to the doctor of osteopathic medicine degree, ATSU
offers a master's degree in biomedical science as well as master's
degrees in public health, geriatric health, and health administration
through the School of Health Management.
In 1995, ATSU established the Arizona School of Health Sciences
(ASHS) located in Mesa, Arizona. The ASHS offers master's degrees
in occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, sports health care,
and medical informatics as well as doctorate degrees in audiology
and physical therapy. The Arizona School af Dentistry & Oral Health
opened in Fall 2003, offering the D.D.S. degree.
The students, faculty, staff and administration of the A T. Still University of Health Sciences wish you health and happiness
throughout the year!
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