Is a DO Program Right For You? What Pre-Meds Should Know

Deciding to pursue a career as a physician can be a challenging and rewarding commitment. If you’re considering becoming a doctor, you may be wondering what would be the best fit for you; an osteopathic medical school (DO program) or an allopathic medical school (MD program). US trained Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and Doctors of Medicine (MD) are both fully licensed physicians, able to prescribe medication, and eligible to practice in any medical specialty. However, there are differences between the two professions. Osteopathic physicians receive comprehensive training in neuro-musculoskeletal examination and hands-on diagnostic and therapeutic skills called Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine and Treatment (OMM and OMT). Osteopathic training is also grounded in a distinct osteopathic philosophy that is patient-centered and health-oriented.

So how do you know if choosing a DO program is right for you?

In this article, we’ll explore some key factors to consider when deciding between a DO and MD program, including differences in curriculum and philosophy. This guide aims to help you make an informed decision about whether an osteopathic physician program is right for you.

What Pre-Meds Should Know About a DO Program

In today’s ever-evolving world of academics, not to mention the evolution and constant innovation that the healthcare industry is experiencing, it can be helpful to begin your decision-making standards with a list.

In the following section, we’ve done exactly that. Below you’ll find a list of important factors pre-med students should consider when determining if an osteopathic medicine program is the right path to choose.

1. The Differences Between DO and MD Programs
2. The Application Process for DO Programs
3. The DO Philosophy
4. The Legitimate Nature of DO Careers

Let’s take a closer look at each of these areas so that anyone interested in being a physician can make an informed decision on whether a DO or MD program is the best fit for them.

The Similarities Differences Between DO and MD Programs

The first step to building up a good foundation of knowledge about Osteopathic Medicine is to understand that there are both similarities and differences between a DO and MD.

Both DOs and MDs are critical to the healthcare work force and for providing adequate care to patients, both nationally and internationally. It is important to research the training of both physicians and apply to the profession that resonates most with you.

Both fields of study have the similar pre-requisite standards for acceptance to medical school (e.g., bachelor’s degree, required pre-med courses, MCAT, extracurricular activities and experiences…).

Both DOs and MDs attend at least four years of accredited osteopathic medical school or medical school, where they learn diagnostic and treatment decisions based on science. Both must pass licensing exams – Comprehensive Medical Licensing Exam (COMLEX) for DOs and United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) for MDs. Both DOs and MDs can be licensed to practice medicine in all 50 states, write the same prescriptions, and complete internships, residencies, and fellowships in any medical specialty.

Both DO and MD professions are rewarding careers. The ultimate goal of both is to provide excellent, comprehensive care to patients. Therefore, they both demand resilience, grit, determination, and the ability to put others above the self.

Both types of physicians have their merits for patients and practitioners alike, but they also have some differences.

Osteopathic medical school curriculum focuses on approaching the patient with a distinctive philosophy; Four Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine:

1. The body is a unit: the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit.
2. The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health maintenance.
3. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
4. Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation and the interrelationship of structure and function.

This philosophy includes partnering with patients, considering the connection of body, mind, and spirit in delivering care, and recognizing the role of a physician’s hands to diagnose and treat illness or injury. Emphasis on prevention and wellness is central to the osteopathic philosophy that promotes the body’s natural tendency toward health and self-healing.

Osteopathic medical students receive extensive training in both the neuromusculoskeletal system and in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). The neuromusculoskeletal system is the body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of our body mass. OMT is the therapeutic application of manual pressure or force to restore functionality and/or remove barriers to motion and healing.

This unique training increases a DO’s understanding of how an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect another, enabling osteopathic physicians to effectively use their hands to both diagnose and treat patients with a goal of reducing or eliminating the need for medication and encouraging the body’s natural ability to heal. (AACOM – About Osteopathic Medicine)

The whole person emphasis may be one of the reasons that a statistically higher percentage of DO graduates have chosen to specialize in primary care, while historically more MD graduates seem to gravitate toward specialty fields of medicine and surgery. However, as the number of colleges of osteopathic medicine has grown this difference is becoming less apparent. As of 2023, more than 25% of all current medical students are osteopathic medical students.

The Application Process for DO Programs

Being accepted to a College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) can be just as competitive as being accepted to an allopathic medical school. Pre-med students may utilize Choose DO, an American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) created resource, to find application information and specific COM descriptions which can assist DO-interested pre-med students to filter which COMs they may be best suited for.

All students who apply to medical school, whether osteopathic or allopathic, must have a bachelor’s degree prior to matriculation.

Premedical coursework requirements vary for each COM but in general they require at least one year each of biology, physics, and English composition, and 2 years of chemistry.

Some standards that will help a pre-med student’s chances during the application process include:

• Demonstrating strong communication and interpersonal skills, resilience, grit and maturity through your personal statements and interviews.
• Document community service, leadership, and clinical experience.
• Participate in a variety of extracurricular activities.
• Possess knowledge of osteopathic medicine and shadow an osteopathic physician.
• Include examples of how you have utilized an osteopathic care approach during your research and clinical experiences in your application’s personal statement.

It is also important to consider your test scores and GPA when choosing which program to pursue. For example, the AACOM reported an average GPA of 3.59 and an average MCAT of 504.89 listed by successful applicants in 2021.

The DO Philosophy

One of the critical aspects for pre-med students to understand before embracing a future as an osteopathic physician is the philosophy behind the field of study. The training for a DO is grounded in a distinctive osteopathic philosophy which is based upon four tenets: that a person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit; that the body has self-healing properties; that structure and function are inter-related; and finally, that rational treatment is grounded in these principles. Because this philosophy is the lens through which an osteopathic physician approaches a patient, DOs tend to have a well-rounded understanding of the musculoskeletal system and regardless of specialty, generally focus on preventative care, healthy nutrition, and overall wellness. From primary patient care to specialist training, to surgery, DOs infuse this patient-centered philosophy throughout diverse health care settings.

The Legitimate Nature of DO Careers

In the past, a misconception had been formed that only MDs had state-legislated levels of licensing to practice. However, since 1973, DOs have been fully recognized as licensed physicians in all 50 states. Like MDs, DOs are licensed to practice medicine by licensing boards in each state.

Both DO and MD medical schools have rigorous accreditation standards for their four-year doctoral degrees. Osteopathic medical schools are accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA)’s Commission on Osteopathic College of Accreditation (COCA) and allopathic medical schools are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).

To obtain their medical license, DO students must pass the COMLEX through the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) and MD students must pass the USMLE provided by the National Board of medical Examiners (NBME).

DOs and MDs apply to attend the same internship, residency, and fellowship programs in any medical specialty under the single accreditation system through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Both DOs and MDs are critical to the healthcare work force and for providing adequate care to patients, both nationally and internationally. It is important to research the training of both physicians and apply to the profession that resonates most with you.

How to Know if a DO Program is Right For You

Now that we’ve covered the must-know factors a pre-med student should be aware of before making their program decision, it’s time to build a course of action. To assist you in determining what schools resonates with you, we’ve compiled a few considerations below:

• Consider Curriculum – After completing pre-med requirements, the good news is, you probably have some knowledge of what curriculum makes the most sense to you, as an individual. Peruse the outline of the curriculum in a specific DO program to get an idea of how the information is taught.
• Interview Your School – When you go to participate in your application interviews, consider questions you have about the program. Focus on learning all you can about what the osteopathic college you are considering has to offer, and what it will feel like to be a student at the university. Information is power in your decision-making.
• Consider Student Wellness – It is always a good idea to get the opinion of students who are already enrolled in the program you are considering. Ask questions and don’t be afraid to observe the overall attitude and demeanor of the students in the program; you may find yourself in their shoes sooner, rather than later.
• Resonate with the Osteopathic Philosophy – Feeling that the distinctive osteopathic approach to medicine is aligned with your values can carry you through some of the more challenging aspects of training.
• Valuing Hands-On Skills (OMT) – Being able to diagnose and treat a patient with your hands takes practice, not unlike learning how to excel at a sport or playing an instrument. It can be physically and mentally challenging. However, it is very exciting and valuable to be able to connect with your patients in this way and optimize their health.

In Conclusion

Choosing between a DO and MD program can be a difficult decision, but by considering aspects such as the course curriculum, personal values with respect to the practice of medicine, and other preferences, you can discover which one you most identify with.

Osteopathic medicine programs offer a unique approach to health care that emphasizes a philosophy that is patient-centered and health-oriented and osteopathic manipulative treatment. These types of programs are a good fit for individuals who are passionate about preventative care and hands-on treatment.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that pursuing the path of patient care requires rigorous training no matter which program you choose. Being a DO or MD demands resilience, grit, determination, and the ability to put others above yourself. The path is a challenging but rewarding journey that will prepare you for a lifetime of service and allow you to have a positive impact on your patients and the field of medicine.