Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) Jobs

A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine focuses on holistic treatment, along with preventing treating and diagnosing injuries and illnesses. These physicians tend to focus on the patient’s whole body, rather than just specific symptoms. Along with this, they teach patients preventative care, and how to help the body heal itself. Although, these physicians do prescribe drugs to patients when they feel it’s necessary.

One notable difference between D.O. and M.D. training is the amount of hours spent studying philosophy. A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine adds an additional 300-500 hours off philosophically based techniques for hands-on practice of the musculoskeletal system. Many D.O.s also report a high level of job satisfaction, with the average salary rounding out at $175, 726.

D.O.s must complete a Bachelor's Degree, usually focusing on the sciences, such as biology. D.O.s then take the MCAT, and enter an Osteopathic medical school. Medical school is usually completed in four years and afterword, the physician will obtain his or her license by taking and passing COMPLEX-USA. Following this, the physician will complete his or her internship and residency training. Further education may be required depending on specialty.

The practice of osteopathy began in 1874 when a physician and surgeon had the common reasoning that all healing began with the bone, or osteon, and from the bones, one is then able to assess, treat, and diagnose conditions. In 2014, there were more than 92,000 osteopathic medical physicians in the United States, making this one of the fastest-growing segments of U.S. healthcare professionals. At the current rate of growth, it is estimated there will be over 100,000 D.O.s, which is a significant increase from 22,000 in 1985. Overall, there is an average growth of 24 percent every five years.