Pre-Med
- What do physicians/doctors do?
Physicians diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and often advise patients on health and disease prevention. They examine patients, take medical histories, and prescribe medications along with ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic tests. They also counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventative healthcare. Physicians may work as a general practitioner or choose to specialize in one out of 120+ specialties and sub-specialties.
There are two types of fully licensed physicians that can practice anywhere in the U.S. as general practitioners or specialists. One is a M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) and the other is a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). Allopathic medical schools grant M.D. degrees while Osteopathic medical schools grant D.O. degrees.
What's the Difference? M.D. vs D.O.
The basic medical training is essentially identical.
The two primary differences are that Osteopathic medical schools and (D.O.) physicians receive mentorship in a
more "holistic" whole-person approach to practicing medicine and have additional training
in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT).