1. The D.O. Difference
             
Prepared by the American Osteopathic Association

2. 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.
D.O.s (doctors of osteopathic medicine) believe that people are more than just the sum of their parts. These fully-licensed physicians practice a “whole person” approach to health care.
D.O.s are known as physicians who treat people, not just symptoms because they have a unique understanding of how all of the body’s systems are interconnected and how each one affects the others.
D.O.s focus special attention on the musuloskeletal system (your body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of its body mass). D.O.s believe the musuloskeletal system reflects and influences the condition of all other body parts.
D.O.s also believe that lifestyle can have a tremendous effect upon one's health.

3. Why Become a D.O.? History of the profession.
Osteopathic medicine today.
Similarities between D.O.s and M.Ds.
The D.O. Difference.
Now that you know what a D.O. is, you may be asking yourself, “Why should I become a D.O.?"
The answer to your question will be obvious once you:
Learn about the unique history of the osteopathic medical profession.
Become more informed about osteopathic medicine today.
Compare the similarities between D.O.s and M.D.s.
And, discover what makes D.O.s unique health care providers.

4. History of the Profession
Andrew Taylor Still, M.D., D.O.
Founder of Osteopathic Medicine.
Osteopathic medicine was first described in 1874 by Missouri physician, Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. This form of medicine evolved around the belief that the body has intrinsic health abilities. Dr. Still firmly believed in treating the body by improving its natural functions.
Dr. Still had grown to distrust the quality of traditional medicines, many of which were as harmful as the disease from which patients suffered. As a result, he rejected the use of medical “cures” that were popular in his day, such as leeches and mercury.

5. First Osteopathic Medical School, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
In 1892, Dr. Still founded the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri. By 1897, knowledge of osteopathic medicine spread, interest in pursuing this new branch of medicine had grown, and the school had more than 500 students.

6. D.O.s Have Been Making a Difference for More Than a Century
Osteopathic physicians have treated U.S. presidents and Olympic athletes. They have contributed to the fight against AIDS and the fight for civil rights. D.O.s continue to practice the kind of medicine that Dr. Andrew Taylor Still envisioned more than one hundred thirty years ago when he founded the osteopathic profession.
The list of prominent D.O.s is long, however, a few notable D.O.s include:
Col. Ronald A. Maul, D.O., M.C., U.D.A.
Dr. Maul is the command surgeon of U.S. Central Command. He also served as the senior medical advisor to now retired Gen. Tommy Franks, U.S.A., former commander of the military forces who led U.S. troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O.
Dr. Ross-Lee is currently Vice-President of Health Sciences and Medical Affairs and Dean for the School of Allied Health and Life Sciences at the New York Institute of Technology. When she was Dean of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Ross-Lee became the first African-American woman to head a U.S. medical school. During her career, Dr. Ross-Lee has served on federal health care panels such as the National Advisory Committee on Rural health and the Advisory Committee on Research on Women’s Health for the National Institutes of Health.
Col. Ronald A. Maul, D.O., M.C., U.S.A.
Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O.

7. Similarities Between D.O.s and M.Ds.
Fully licensed physicians.
Four years of medical education.
Choose any specialty area.
There are many similarities between D.O.s and M.D.s.
Both D.O.s and M.D.s complete four years of basic medical education.
D.O.s and M.D.s. can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine.
They complete a residency program (typically two to six years of additional training).

8. The Similarities Continue…
Pass state licensing exams.
Prescribe medication and perform surgery.
Covered by major insurance plans.
Practice in fully accredited and licensed facilities.
Both D.O.s and M.D.s must pass comparable state licensing examinations.
D.O.s and M.D.s are fully licensed to prescribe medications and perform surgery.
D.O.s and M.D.s are both covered by major health care insurance plans.
And, both practice in fully accredited and licensed health care facilities.

9. The D.O. Difference D.O.s practice a whole person approach to care.
D.O.s utilize Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT).
Just as Rabbis and Priests vary on their religious philosophy, D.O.s and M.D.s also have a different approach to health care.
D.O.s focus on preventative health care and practice a “whole person” approach to medicine.
D.O.s utilize osteopathic manipulative treatment for a hands on approach to health care.

10. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)
Requires hands-on approach.
Enables D.O.s to treat and diagnose injuries or illnesses.
OMT is one of the most unique and distinctive tools of osteopathic medicine.
OMT requires a hands-on, whole body approach to diagnose health problems; treat dysfunctions; preserve good health; and prevent the spread of disease.
In 1999, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine noted that OMT is not only an effective and low-cost form of treatment for low back pain but also a treatment that decreased the need for medications and surgery.
In addition to being used to treat low back pain and musuloskeletal abnormalities, OMT can be used to treat asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, menstrual pain, sinus disorders and migraines just to name a few.

11. D.O.s Treat the Whole Person
D.O.s believe a person is more than just the sum of their parts.
Instead of just treating specific symptoms, they regard the body as an integrated whole. D.O.s believe that a person is more than just the sum of their parts. They believe that a person’s lifestyle (including home, work and social environments) can play a tremendous role in the health of that individual.
Thanks to their extra training, D.O.s have a better understanding of the ways that an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect another.

12. 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!
Today, there are 30 osteopathic medical schools throughout the United States. In 2010 there are 18,033 students enrolled in osteopathic medical schools.
Currently, there are 63, 120 D.O.s in the United States. Approximately 60% of D.O.s practice in primary care areas such as family medicine; internal medicine; pediatrics; and obstetrics.
D.O.s also represent 6% of total U.S. physicians and over 8% of all military physicians.

13. Requirements
The average osteopathic medical school applicant meets the following requirements:
MCAT
Verbal 8.10
Physical 8.08
Biology 8.54
Overall GPA
3.43
Science GPA
3.36
To be considered for admission to any of the nation's osteopathic medical schools, applicants typically have a bachelor's degree, with undergraduate studies that include one year each of English, biological sciences, physics, general chemistry and organic chemistry. Other requirements may include genetics, mathematics, and psychology.
Most prospective D.O. students major in sciences with an emphasis in biology or chemistry; however, applicants may major in any discipline as long as they meet the minimum course and grade requirements. Applicants must also take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
Prospective osteopathic medical students must exhibit a genuine concern for people. Applicants may wish to spend some time with a D.O. or do volunteer work in a health care setting before considering a career in this field. Osteopathic medical colleges require a personal interview to assess an applicant's desire to become a D.O.
Latest information on numbers above updated in 2002.

14. Contact Information
American Osteopathic Association
142 E. Ontario St.
Chicago, IL
(800) or
Osteopathic medicine is gaining in popularity as more and more Americans are becoming aware of this unique form of health care.
If you have any questions about osteopathic medicine, contact the American Osteopathic Association at (800) or log onto the AOA’s Web site at
For questions regarding admission requirements, visit the Web site for the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine at