What Career Paths Can a DO Degree Lead To

Aspiring health care workers have a lot of choices when it comes to the wide range of fields to pursue in medicine. For those interested in becoming a doctor, pursuing a degree in osteopathic medicine might be what you are searching for. A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)’s training 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 neuromusculoskeletal system and regardless of specialty, generally focus on preventative care, and optimizing physiological function for overall wellness. From primary patient care to specialist training, to surgery, DOs practice in diverse health care settings.

With a growing need for health care professionals and an ever-popular demand for patient-centered and health-oriented approaches to patient care, the DO profession is becoming increasingly popular in the health care industry.

In the following article, we will explore the numerous career paths that a DO degree can lead to, highlighting the unique benefits and opportunities that come with this credential. We also review the differences between an MD, or Doctor of Medicine, as it compares to a DO.

Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Both DOs and MDs are critical to the healthcare work force and for providing 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.

Most patients are familiar with the term MD.

MDs are considered “allopathic doctors or physicians.” MDs tend to focus on treating physical symptoms as they occur.   MDs may be inclined to specialize in surgical or procedural specialties, but of course, are not limited to these disciplines.

Osteopathic medicine was introduced by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, a physician who practiced in the 1800’s and during the Civil War. He became disillusioned with the practice of medicine available to patients of the time.  He realized allopathic medicine was missing a large component of health, specifically addressing the dysfunctions in somatic tissue that seemed to be playing a role in disease.  He also observed that some of the commonly prescribed medicines (mercury, alcohol, etc…) seemed to be causing more harm than good and at best were masking, not curing, symptoms. He did extensive research on anatomy and realized that a deeper understanding of the neuromusculoskeletal system could not only alleviate neuromusculoskeletal conditions but enabled the practitioner to have access to visceral and neurological conditions – essentially affecting multiple systems across the entire body. His research and observations demonstrated that the body has the innate capability to heal itself and the physician may just be needed to help remove obstructions to the patient’s inherent health. He focused on resolving dysfunction of the neuromusculoskeletal system with hands-on therapeutic skills and prescribing proper diet and exercise to augment the body’s innate healing process. Modern research and science are catching up with his groundbreaking contributions shedding light on the many dynamic and synergistic mechanisms of action that help explain the potency of Osteopathic medicine.  DOs today incorporate all aspects of medicine in their practice, but ultimately view their patients through the lens of the osteopathic philosophy. Like Dr. Still, DOs today view the body, mind, and spirit as parts of a whole. They are keenly aware of how a patient’s lifestyle affects their mental and physical health. DO physicians can specialize in all aspects of medicine, from general to specialty medicine, including Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine/Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (see below).

The basic requirements for DO and MD students pursuing either degree will require:

• At least four years of medical school
• Residency training
• Licensing exams—COMLEX for DOs and USMLE for MDs

Both medical degrees are competitive and require numerous years of study and on-the-job training.

As part of their osteopathic medical education, DO students receive about 200 hours of education in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine or OMM. This involves an in-depth study of how to apply the osteopathic principles to patient care, as well as diagnose and treat dysfunction of the neuromusculoskeletal system, enabling them to resolve or improve a wide range of conditions involving multiple systems of the body. Performing these osteopathic techniques to improve a patient’s health is called Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT).

Overall…

• DOs are fully qualified and licensed physicians.
• DOs are educated within a context of a distinct patient-centered, health-oriented philosophy.
• DOs are trained to combine specialized diagnostic and therapeutic hands-on skills (OMT) with the latest advances in the science and practice of medicine to offer comprehensive healthcare to patients. (This means they are the only physician that can address somatic dysfunction, which is a modifiable risk factor in many disease states across all medical specialties).
• DOs focus on a “body-mind-spirit” approach to their patients.
• DOs tend to consider lifestyle and environment when assisting their patients with health optimization.
• The academic and licensing requirements of DOs and MDs are similar but do have variations.
• DOs prescribe medicine, perform surgery, and are found in all specialties of medicine.

Promising Career Paths

DOs and MDs may specialize in any field of medicine. During the 3^rd and 4^th year of osteopathic medical training, DO students do clinical rotations in different areas of medicine in order to have a better understanding of what they would like to practice as a career. This will help them narrow down what residency programs they will apply to in order to complete their training as osteopathic physician.  Below are just a few of the specialties that DOs may choose.

Family Medicine

Family medicine is a popular path for both DOs and MDs that provides several unique benefits to their patients. DOs in family practice can provide OMT to relieve pain, improve mobility and promote healing as is related to a vast number of conditions. Oftentimes, DOs request the patient’s goals for their health and partner with the patient to create an appropriate and realistic treatment plan.

Pediatrics

Pediatrics is a popular field for DOs. The training that DOs receive in communication skills generally allows them to build a strong rapport with their patients and patients’ families. A DO’s ability to perform OMT often enables them to address common pediatric complaints such as otitis media, oftentimes with less antibiotic usage, and plagiocephaly and scoliosis.

Sports Medicine

Sports medicine involves treating athletes with the goal of keeping them in their optimal physical condition. An osteopathic physician’s detailed knowledge of anatomy and physiology makes them well-suited to this branch of medicine. While DOs may tailor a treatment plan for their patient that involves OMT, physical therapy, and pharmacotherapy, oftentimes they may be able to resolve a musculoskeletal dysfunction with OMT, minimizing the need for medication or physical therapy.

Sports medicine doctors also assist athletes with rehabilitation. And they may advise on nutrition, rest, and other physical activities to improve performance (or even counteract the effects of an injury).

Internal Medicine/Internist

Internists are the ultimate “big picture” doctors, so a DO is a natural fit. As the name implies, they specialize in preventing and addressing issues related to internal organs.

Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB-GYN)

Physicians who specialize in OB/GYN have the opportunity to have a multifaceted career; care for expectant mothers, deliver babies, and perform surgeries and other procedures. If they choose, they may care for their patients throughout their patient’s entire life. A DO’s training in anatomy and physiology may uniquely position them to address their patients as a unity of body-mind-spirit as many of the reproductive organs are intimately involved with hormones that affect the chemistry of the brain. Additionally, their skills in OMT may be able to provide their pregnant patients relief from back pain and facilitate an easier delivery and recovery.

Specialties (Surgery, PM&R, Neurology, ONMM, etc)

A DO can also pursue specialty training in all fields including the following; surgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Neurology, Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (ONMM), Radiology and more!

Other Tips

Finally, here are some tips to help you decide if pursuing a DO degree is right for you:

• Start building your CV as soon as possible.
• Take any opportunities you can to get shadowing experience with both a DO and MD to assess what type of physician most resonates with you.
• Attend our advising sessions to help guide you on your journey.
• Develop and maintain connections that may assist you with career advice and guidance; friends, professors, etc.
• Don’t be afraid to ask our career services office for advice on interviews, internships, and more. They are here to help.

In Conclusion

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 desire to be of service to others.  Being a DO and an MD means to serve humankind. There is truly no greater satisfaction than being of service to others as a physician. Choose your profession with great care and consideration. Select the one you most identify with. We wish you luck on this incredible journey.