He’s actually a D.O. – Doctor of Osteopathy. I think this “error” was done on purpose, since Hero, D.O. doesn’t have the same ring for a Newsweek cover story. (via KidneyNotes)
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- DO’s: The "fake Rolex" of the medical profession?
- Get that ring off
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Dear Kevin, M.D.,
Don’t you think it would be better for DOs for general public,media, and international recognition that D.O.s change their initials to MD,DO or MD,O or MD/DO? MD,DOs could work along MDs and there would certainly be a lot less prejudice and no one then would question a MD,DO’s credentials then, you agree?
Wouldn’t it be better if the AOA joined forces and be under the AMA to make this nation strong for all physicians?
Thanks for any info on this matter, Kev.
Aren’t DOs like chiropractors? Is there much of a difference between a chiropractor and DO? Do DOs just learn further techniques of manipulation than chiropractors?
My friend told me DOs are similar to MDs and I couldn’t stop laughing! My friend is such a dummy!
anonymous,
You are wrong! DOs are like MDs that they can prescribe any medication, work independently, and specialize in any field they chose, so they are not chiropractors, that’s for sure. Chiropractors can’t prescribe medicine, surgery like MDs/DOs, but only manipulation.
However, most DOs want to be MDs and applied to regular medical schools, but didn’t get in, so they went to a DO (osteopathic) school instead as a backup, as opposed to applying to MD schools again or going to a Carribean or European MD program.
So, basically, deep inside, the truth is most DOs want to be MDs and would rather have MD behind their name, but the fact is, the just couldn’t get into a U.S. regular medical school to become a Doctor of Medicine, instead they became a Doctor of Osteopathy.
So, anyway, DOs and MDs are equal in regard to state laws and essentially the same, but most DOs and everyone knows that DOs envy MDs and wish they could have MD behind their name instead of DO. MD is what everyone in the world knows as medical doctor and DOs are humble to practice medicine, but wish they were MD!
Harvard MD may believe that OMM is poppycock, but his own medical school would disagree. For DOs looking for validation, you need not look any further than the number one medical school in the country offering what you learn every day:
http://cme.med.harvard.edu/cmeups/pdf/00271286.pdf
We must all work together. MDs must stop feeling superior and DOs must stop feeling inferior. There is no difference in patient outcomes, malpractice lawsuits, or any other factors among the two types of physicians.
I agree with the sentiment of many others here that there are far more important issues we need to be united on in healthcare.
With the advent of Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) and of Doctor of Science Physician Assistant (DScPA), shouldn’t MDs and DOs be united to stay in charge of these doctorate mid-levels.
To help do this, DOs should change their title to MD,DO or MD,O and that will help the general public and all patients realize physicians from non-physicians.
Hello,
For more respect from their patients to recognize that they are real doctors, are some osteopaths now applying for the http://www.DOTOMD.com program? If so, could the doctor then display : MD,DO initials?
Thanks for any information.
My wife is an M.D…and for over 30 years of interaction with hospitals and clinics etc…it seems that D.O.s gravitate more to the admin side…id say..in my personal meets…60-70 percent of those who are doctors,many of course arent…but those that are tend more often to be D.O than M.D…for whatever its worth or matters.
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