A Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a medical degree that denotes a professional degree in the United States and some other countries. MDs are allopathic doctors who treat and diagnose conditions using conventional medical tools like x-rays, prescription drugs, and surgery. They can choose to be broad practitioners and work as family medicine or primary care doctors, or they can specialize in areas such as surgery, specific body parts or organs, psychiatry, geriatric medicine, and pediatrics.
In contrast, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) follows an osteopathic medical training path. DOs use the same conventional medical techniques as MDs but with a focus on holistic health and prevention. They also receive training in osteopathic manipulation medicine (OMM), which focuses on the musculoskeletal system, and often address conditions from both a medical and lifestyle perspective. DOs emphasize examining and understanding the patient thoroughly before prescribing treatment, and they focus on preventative care on health rather than disease.
In summary, while both MDs and DOs are licensed physicians and receive similar education, they differ in their approach to medicine, with MDs focusing on conventional medical tools and DOs emphasizing holistic health and prevention.
