DO Programs: Holistic Medical Education
Comprehensive guide to Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine programs, featuring holistic healthcare training, osteopathic manipulative treatment, and a whole-person approach to medical practice.
What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) Degree?
The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree is a comprehensive medical degree that emphasizes a holistic, whole-person approach to healthcare. DO physicians are fully licensed doctors who can practice in all medical specialties, prescribe medications, and perform surgery, just like their MD counterparts. However, DO training includes additional education in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and a philosophy that views the body as an integrated whole.
Osteopathic medicine was founded in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, who believed that many diseases were related to problems in the musculoskeletal system. DO physicians are trained to use their hands to diagnose and treat patients through osteopathic manipulative treatment, a set of hands-on techniques used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury.
The DO curriculum includes all the same medical training as MD programs, plus additional coursework in osteopathic principles, philosophy, and manipulative medicine. This comprehensive training prepares DO physicians to provide patient-centered care that considers the physical, mental, and social factors that influence health and disease.
Today, there are over 145,000 practicing DOs in the United States, representing about 25% of all physicians. DO physicians practice in all medical specialties and are particularly well-represented in primary care fields such as family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. The demand for DO physicians continues to grow as healthcare systems recognize the value of their holistic approach to patient care.
Four Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic medicine is guided by four fundamental principles that shape how DO physicians approach patient care and treatment.
The person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit. All parts of the body are interconnected and function together as a whole system.
The structure of a body part influences its function, and function influences structure. Proper alignment and mobility are essential for optimal health.
The body possesses inherent self-healing and self-regulatory mechanisms that work to maintain health and recover from illness or injury.
Effective treatment requires understanding the interrelationship of structure and function, and the body's ability to heal itself.
MD vs DO: Key Differences
While both MD and DO physicians are fully licensed doctors with similar training, there are important differences in philosophy, curriculum, and approach to patient care.
| Aspect | MD (Allopathic) | DO (Osteopathic) |
|---|---|---|
| Degree Type | Doctor of Medicine (MD) | Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) |
| Medical Philosophy | Allopathic medicine - focus on treating disease | Osteopathic medicine - holistic, whole-person approach |
| Training Length | 4 years medical school + 3-7 years residency | 4 years medical school + 3-7 years residency |
| Curriculum | Traditional medical curriculum | Traditional curriculum + Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) |
| Licensing Exams | USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) | COMLEX-USA (Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination) |
| Residency Options | ACGME-accredited programs | Both ACGME and AOA-accredited programs (now unified) |
| Practice Rights | Full practice rights in all 50 states | Full practice rights in all 50 states |
| Number of Schools | 155+ medical schools in the US | 38+ osteopathic medical schools in the US |
Top Osteopathic Medical Schools
These leading osteopathic medical schools offer excellent DO programs with strong clinical training, research opportunities, and commitment to osteopathic principles.
| School | Location | Founded | Acceptance Rate | Avg MCAT | Avg GPA | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine First Osteopathic School, Rural Medicine, Primary Care | Kirksville, MO, USA | 1892 | 13.2% | 506 | 3.65 | $63,662 |
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Clinical Excellence, Research, Urban Healthcare | Philadelphia, PA, USA | 1899 | 8.7% | 508 | 3.68 | $62,190 |
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine State University, Research, Community Health | East Lansing, MI, USA | 1969 | 6.4% | 511 | 3.72 | $58,746 |
Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine Interprofessional Education, Technology, Diversity | Davie, FL, USA | 1981 | 11.8% | 507 | 3.66 | $59,470 |
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine West Coast, Interprofessional, Community Service | Pomona, CA, USA | 1977 | 9.3% | 509 | 3.69 | $64,255 |
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine Primary Care, Rural Health, Clinical Training | Des Moines, IA, USA | 1898 | 14.6% | 505 | 3.63 | $61,335 |
DO Program Curriculum
The DO curriculum combines traditional medical education with osteopathic principles and manipulative medicine training, providing a comprehensive foundation for holistic patient care.
- •Basic medical sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology)
- •Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP)
- •Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)
- •Clinical skills and patient interaction
- •Evidence-based medicine and research methods
- •Core clinical rotations in major specialties
- •Continued OMM training and application
- •Elective rotations in areas of interest
- •Advanced clinical skills and procedures
- •Board exam preparation and residency applications
Career Prospects for DO Physicians
DO physicians enjoy the same career opportunities as MD physicians, with full practice rights in all 50 states and eligibility for all medical specialties. The unified accreditation system (ACGME) now oversees both MD and DO residency programs, ensuring equal opportunities for specialty training and career advancement.
DO physicians are particularly well-represented in primary care specialties, with approximately 25% of all family physicians being DOs. This aligns with the osteopathic profession's historical emphasis on primary care and whole-person health. However, DO physicians also practice in all medical specialties, including surgery, radiology, emergency medicine, and subspecialties.
The job market for DO physicians is excellent, with strong demand particularly in underserved areas and primary care settings. Many healthcare systems actively recruit DO physicians for their holistic approach to patient care and their training in osteopathic manipulative treatment, which can provide additional treatment options for patients with musculoskeletal conditions.
Salary prospects for DO physicians are comparable to MD physicians in the same specialties. The median salary varies by specialty, with primary care DOs earning approximately $230,000-280,000 annually, while specialist DOs can earn significantly more. The combination of strong job prospects, competitive salaries, and the satisfaction of providing holistic patient care makes the DO degree an attractive option for aspiring physicians.