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I found this article informative. I have personally always preferred a DO over an MD as my PCP.
If you see a primary care physician for your general healthcare, theres a chance youre seeing a D.O., not an M.D. While both degrees mean your doctor is a licensed physician, their training differs slightly and each has a unique perspective on care. As Brian Krachman, D.O., an internal medicine specialist at Piedmont Physicians Group, explains, A D.O. is an osteopathic physician, while an M.D. is a medical doctor, an allopathic physician.
According to the American Osteopathic Association, doctors of osteopathic medicine regard the body as an integrated whole, rather than treating for specific symptoms only. Allopathic medicine, also referred to as Western medicine, treats disease symptoms using remedies such as drugs or surgery.
Physicians with a D.O. are licensed in all 50 states to practice medicine and surgery, as well as to prescribe medications. The education for both degrees is similar and both are required to complete accredited medical residencies.
One major difference is D.O. programs place an emphasis on primary care. Most D.O.s are in internal medicine, family practice, pediatrics, OB-GYN and general surgery, says Dr. Krachman. We spend a lot of time with people. The emphasis which we call primary care now is on people.
Osteopathic medical schools also require additional classes between 300 and 500 hours on the skeletal system and the interactions of your body with diseases. Dr. Krachman says there may be slight personality differences between physicians with each degree, as D.O.s often address medical conditions from both a medical and lifestyle perspective. D.O.s place an emphasis on getting to know a patients lifestyle, family and unique concerns, which better informs their medical treatments.
However, he says patients should not see much of a difference between the two in terms of medical care.
D.O.s are trained to ask questions like this to gain a comprehensive understanding of a patients lifestyle, which can impact their condition. With chronic diseases like diabetes, its not only about the medication youre taking, but what are you are eating, whos at home, how meals are prepared and whos preparing the meals, he says. Its a supplemental layer that provides you with more opportunity to get better patient care.
If you see a primary care physician for your general healthcare, theres a chance youre seeing a D.O., not an M.D. While both degrees mean your doctor is a licensed physician, their training differs slightly and each has a unique perspective on care. As Brian Krachman, D.O., an internal medicine specialist at Piedmont Physicians Group, explains, A D.O. is an osteopathic physician, while an M.D. is a medical doctor, an allopathic physician.
According to the American Osteopathic Association, doctors of osteopathic medicine regard the body as an integrated whole, rather than treating for specific symptoms only. Allopathic medicine, also referred to as Western medicine, treats disease symptoms using remedies such as drugs or surgery.
Physicians with a D.O. are licensed in all 50 states to practice medicine and surgery, as well as to prescribe medications. The education for both degrees is similar and both are required to complete accredited medical residencies.
One major difference is D.O. programs place an emphasis on primary care. Most D.O.s are in internal medicine, family practice, pediatrics, OB-GYN and general surgery, says Dr. Krachman. We spend a lot of time with people. The emphasis which we call primary care now is on people.
Osteopathic medical schools also require additional classes between 300 and 500 hours on the skeletal system and the interactions of your body with diseases. Dr. Krachman says there may be slight personality differences between physicians with each degree, as D.O.s often address medical conditions from both a medical and lifestyle perspective. D.O.s place an emphasis on getting to know a patients lifestyle, family and unique concerns, which better informs their medical treatments.
However, he says patients should not see much of a difference between the two in terms of medical care.
D.O.s are trained to ask questions like this to gain a comprehensive understanding of a patients lifestyle, which can impact their condition. With chronic diseases like diabetes, its not only about the medication youre taking, but what are you are eating, whos at home, how meals are prepared and whos preparing the meals, he says. Its a supplemental layer that provides you with more opportunity to get better patient care.
Hugs
BJ
i notice some dr's run their patients thru like cattle & others schedule time to sit down & actually listen to patients.
i prefer the latter.
i never really checked what my dr is & i looked at his card & it's just a 'generic one" for the office that he works in with several dr's--how do you find out which one your dr is?
i think my pulm is an MD (he's the one that doesn't say)
then my PCP is actually a "nurse practitioner" (RN, MSN, FNP-C) which i gather is 1 step below a dr, but one step above a PA?
(i jsut know he takes better care of me than my old MD general practioner that thought she minored in "GOD" ;) )
do different countries have different "dr ratings" than america?