What Type Of Doctor Is A D.O.?
What Type Of Doctor Is A D.O.?
What Type Of Doctor Is A D.O.?
The other day the conversation of California University’s acceptance rate became a conversation between my girlfriend and me. Our conversation then shifted over to medical schools.
My girlfriend told me that one of her friend’s son was going to become a D.O. because the United States medical schools acceptance is difficult.
My immediate reply was, How is a D.O. degree different from an M.D.?
My girlfriend told me that she was not sure, of the differences but she believed an M.D. is more specialized than a D.O.
I shook my head and then told my friend it is all is confusing.
I went to say, that I knew what an F.A.C.P. and an F.A.C.S. behind the M.D. represented, but I did not know what D.O. meant.
She asked what does an F.A.C.P, and F.A.C.S. mean?
I gave a small chuckle, and I then told her as a professional patient I have learned that when you see the letters FACP after a physician’s name, it represents that the doctor is a member of the prestigious, Fellow of the American College of Physicians (ACP).
In order for a physician to become a member of the American College of Physicians, they must undergo a rigorous process that confirms their knowledge and dedication to the practice of medicine.
An F.A.C.S. behind the name of a doctor is the highest level of honor given by the American College of Surgeons.
The American College of Surgeons is the world’s largest organization of surgeons. Before a Surgeon can become a member of FACS, numerous factors, including professional qualifications, surgical knowledge, education, training, ethical conduct, and competence are evaluated by ACS.
My girlfriend’s eyes look a bit glazed as I repeated my FACP and FACS interpretations.
I then ask her, if she would go to a D.O. doctor?
She told me she has already seen a doctor D.O.
My girlfriend went on to say that many brilliant premed students are not accepted to United States medical schools so they decide to earn a D.O. degree.
A D.O. medical degree provides you with the same rights to practice medicine as an M.D.
She has heard that many premed students consider an D.O. degree a terrific option.
My conversation with my girlfriend moved on, but the topic of doctor D.O. degree lingered in my mind.
As days passed, the D.O. curiosity resonated.
I decided to resolve my question, What is a D.O. doctor with a quick Google Search.
My D.O. Doctor Google search was not so fast; the search led me to from one link to another.
Here is what I learned about a Doctor D.O.:
Since fewer than 50 percent of medical school applicants to traditional allopathic medical schools are accepted, it leaves many premed students without options.
The few options that exist include off-shore medical schools or osteopathic medical schools. Many premed applicants who do not want to leave the United States to attend medical school decide to enroll in osteopathic medical schools.
A doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) is a licensed doctor who has attended and graduated from a U.S. osteopathic medical school.
A doctor of medicine (M.D.) has attended and graduated from a conventional (allopathic) medical school.
The significant difference between an osteopathic doctor and an allopathic doctor is that some osteopathic doctors provide medical treatments that include manual medicine therapies, such as spinal manipulation or massage therapy.
After medical school, both D.O.s and M.D.s must complete residency training in their specialties.
Both D.O.s and M.D.s must pass the same medical license examination before prescribing medications and treat patients.
Out of curiosity, I looked up what type of medical degree one of my medical specialist held.
My expertly skilled medical doctor has a D.O. degree.
I grinned as I realized one of the best doctors I have seen is a doctor, D.O.
As a side note, I am extremely impressed and grateful for the knowledge from all types of medical specialists.
I hope What Type of Doctor is A D.O.? has been insightful.
Resources:
https://www.reference.com/health/mean-doctor-facs-end-his-name-57c6ca6e96aa0abb
https://associatesinmedicine.org/events/10-aim-website/68-what-is-an-facp