VCOM 2019 Annual Report

The Power of Touch A Look at Osteopathic Medicine

What is a DO? In the United States, physicians may hold either the Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) or the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO). MDs and DOs have equivalent rights, privileges and responsibilities and are licensed to practice the full scope of medicine, including to perform surgery and prescribe medicine. Healing the Whole Person While much of the curricula at osteopathic medical schools is virtually identical to those at schools granting the MD degree, the notable differences are that DO schools provide an additional 300 hours in the study of hands-on manual examination and treatment of the body’s musculoskeletal system. The interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that house the rest of the body is important in the health and wellness of each person. The Hands-On Approach Osteopathic physicians look at the whole person, considering how all the body’s systems work together to prevent or treat health issues. Using osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), a DO is able to manipulate the bones and muscles for a safe and

effective treatment, without surgery or medication, for a wide variety of ailments.

Looking Beyond the Symptoms DOs examine the whole patient. DOs partner with patients to help prevent illness and injury, using their hands to aid in diagnosis and to increase the body’s natural tendency toward self-healing.

Top-of-the-Line Care When DOs combine this knowledge with the latest advances in medical technology, they offer patients the most

comprehensive care available in medicine today.

Approximately 114,000 fully licensed active osteopathic physicians currently practice

1 in every 4 medical students in the U.S. attend an osteopathic medical school

the entire scope of modern medicine.

26