Looking for a new family practice doctor.  What is the difference between a DO and an MD?
545026
Hi,\nBoth types of doctors can be just as qualified as the other.  Medical Doctors have what we think of as "traditional" American Medical Training whereas Doctors of Osteopathy are trained more to think about the whole patient, instead of focusing on one area or body part.  They take extra training in muscular-skeletal issues.  I put a link to explain more about D.O.'s; but like everything else, it depends on the doctor.  There are good and bad M.D.'s and good and bad D.O.'s.\n\nGood luck in finding a GREAT physician!
390935
you do not have to be an MD, but you do have to go to school.  My mom is an acupuncturist and I watched her attend classes, take exams, etc.  It's hard work, but if it's what you want to do, it's worth it.
817460
A pharmacist does work fewer hours, only 40 hours a week, than MDs.  Pharmacists are not required to do residencies.  Once graduated, you can go and work and make a full salary.\nThe difficulty of getting into either type of college is about equal.
1077093
Unless the doctor is part of your family, just change.  I live in small town and work for a dr's office. We have had patients that feel that way.  Doctors care about their patients but it won't devastated them if you change to someone else.  Just find a new doctor and have them request your records.  It's all business.
201728
MD=Medical Doctor; PA=Physician Assistant; DO=Doctor of Osteopathic medicine; NP=Nurse Practioner
719864
look for someone with DO after their name and not MD.  DOs are doctors of osteopathy which is a doctor that can do all of the stuff that MDs do, but has training in manipulations as well.  DOs should be covered by your insurance.
942079
The only difference in the DPA and the PhD is the public, who mostly have no idea what a PhD is, will most certainly have no idea what a DPA is and will laugh at you if you even try to call yourself Doctor.  And the PhD's who are always playing second banana to the M.D.'s will treat the DPA like his degree is bull crap just like the MD's treat the PhD's\n\nThat, dear friend, is the only difference.   Get an MD or stop at a Master's.   Unless you're going to be a college professor the PhD is waste of time, effort and money and the DPA, EdD, PsyD and all the rest is just taking your time, money and effort and flushing it all down the toilet.  Nobody cares.   And, say what you want, if nobody cares it's totally worthless.
475561
Since DRG's (diagnosis related groups) started being used by Medicare other insurance companies followed suit. Basically what that does is when the MD makes a diagnosis the insurance company has a limited number of tests, treatments, and physician fee that they are willing to pay. Therefore the physician is paid less and spends less time with the patient in order to have a lucrative practice. The MD is less likely to recommend hospitalization (before DRG's people were often put in the hospital for rest), etc.
648223
A foot Dr.is a Podiatrist.\n\nD.O. = Doctor of Osteopathy
13321
I'm a DO student. \n\nI was admitted to both MD and DO schools, and ultimately chose the DO school because of the philosophical approach of osteopathic medicine and its location. So, "not hacking the grade" isn't really accurate.\n\nSome DO schools are easier to get into than MD, some are not. Both students must take certain prerequisite courses in college as well as the MCAT.\n\nDOs and MDs are both considered legally equivelant in the eyes of the law. Both bill insurance comps the same amount for the same procedures. Salary is the same. Both types are found in every field and specialty of medicine, from radiology to neurosurgery.\n\nMDs receive the Medicinae Doctor (Doctor of Medicine) degree and DOs receive the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.\n\nTry the American Osteopathic Association for more information about DOs.
481159
D.O.'s are just like M.D.'s except for a couple of things.  1.) They also study manipulative medicine, which is more chiropractic stuff 2.) D.O. schools are slightly easier to get in than M.D. school 3.) D.O. schools tend to emphasize the 'entire' patient, including more prevention and wellness.  4.) D.O. degrees don't transfer as easily to other countries.   Basically, they have the exact same education & can both become any kind of doctor.  The difference pretty much only matters to the medical students themselves.
164946
For their educations, a doctor goes to college/university for four years to get a Bachelors degree, then to medical school for three years to get a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree.\n\nTo become a practicing physician, a person with an MD or DO must work as a resident for one year; this is on-the-job training.\n\nDuring the 7 years of school, the student pays to go to school.  During the one year of residency, the resident is paid for working.
814139
I think Dr. is the right way to go. \nA Ph.D is a doctorate
4682
I guess it depends on what your definition of a real doctor is. Some people would only consider you a doctor if you could prescribe drugs. However, that is the difference in philosophical understanding between chiropractors and medical doctors. Medical doctors use an "Outside-In" approach with drugs or surgery to attempt to reduce symptoms, whereas chiropractors use an "Inside-Out" approach to restoring normal function of the body so it can heal itself. Chiropractic is not a panacea or "cure-all", but regardless of what your condition or situation is, if you have poor communication between your brain and body due to misalignments of your spine, your chiropractor can certainly help. The biggest thing to remember is that chiropractors do not treat diseases, back pain or illnesses. They allow the body to work better so it can heal itself. They are not symptom chasers.\nIf your concern is competency, realize that most chiropractors receive their bachelors and then complete a rigorous 5 year program of classes. Here is a sample of hours.\n\nMedical and Chiropractic\n\nJohn Hopkins Palmer College \nMedical School of Chiropractic \n\n508 Anatomy 520 \n256 Physiology 520 \n401 Pathology 520 \n200 Chemistry 325 \n114 Bacteriology 130 \n224 Diagnosis 520 \n48 X-Ray 292 \n144 Psychiatry 65 \n198 Obstetrics & Gynecology 6 \n2,205 Total Hours 2,762 \n3,397 Grand Total w/Other Required Subjects 4,485 \nDocumented by National Health Federation
1106756
My mother is a dentist, and they have the same status as other doctors. A dentist performs surgeries, procedures, and must earn a doctorate to practice, just as other doctors.
381413
master's of doctor      or     doctor of medicine
45740
i have one who acts as both. i am really comfortable with my dr, so she serves as my gyn. it all depends on if you are comforable enough to have your regular doctor looking at your stuff every year. i think it's great.