What is the difference between Doctors that are a "D.O." and a "M.D."?

Over the years, patients have asked, "What is the difference between doctors that have "D.O." vs, "M.D." ? So here it is...

• Both D.O.s and M.D.s typically have a four year undergraduate degree prior to medical training.
• Both D.O.s and M.D.s have spent four-years in medical education, have taken the MCAT and are subject to a meticulous application process. Traditionally, D.O. schools are more open to the non-traditional candidate.
• D.O.s, like M.D.s, choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine and complete a residency program ranging from 3-7 years. Some D.O.s complete the same residency programs as their M.D. counterparts.
• M.D. students take the USMLE exam and D.O. students take the COMPLEX exam, but both must pass a state licensing examination to practice medicine.
• D.O.s perform surgery, deliver children, treat patients, prescribe medications and work in the same settings as M.D.s. D.O.s use the same tools, treatments and technologies of medicine as M.D.s.
• D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, which make up the muscles and bones of a person.

D.O.s have been specially trained to perform osteopthic manipulations on patients. They view the patient as a 'total person" (a whole) and focus on preventative care. They view the entire body rather than treat specific symptoms or illness. D.O.s use Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) in their practice. This involves the use of their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage your body's natural ability to heal. Osteopathic medicine is a fast-growing segment of the United States healthcare field. This is the biggest difference between a M.D., and a D.O.

*Osteopathic medicine is practiced by D.O.s in the United States. Osteopathic medicine was developed in 1874 by Dr. A.T. Still who stated "Any variation from health has a cause, and the cause has a location. It is the business of the osteopathic physician to locate and remove it, doing away with the disease and getting healthy instead." He believed that many medications (at that time) were useless and even harmful. He identified the musculoskeletal system as a key component for good health. *mommd.com

So whether you are looking for a Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopath, we have them both! Payman Danielpour, M.D., and John Layke, D.O.

310.275.6600