<p>Whats the difference between a DO and an MD?</p>
<p>If i go into a DO program is it hard to get an MD also??</p>
<p>I really never hard of a DO until today so if you guys could give me sum info id appreciate it.</p>
<p>DO = Doctor of Osteopathy. Historically, speaking, DO's used techniques like spinal manipulation and physical therapy as medical treatments. However, nowadays, DO's are fully licensed to practice medicine, and utilize the full gamut of modern medical techniques, including surgery. </p>
<p>The difference in the DO and the MD is basically curriculua. The DO takes courses on traditional osteopathy, in addition to a regular MD curricula. Both degrees qualify you to take the Boards to practice medicine. Both degrees qualify you for any residency you desire. </p>
<p>There are a few programs that confer both the DO and the MD program. However, most programs will confer either one of the other. For those that confer both, I cannot comment on how difficult it might be to switch from one program to the other - I suspect it may be quite difficult. However, for those schools that only offer the DO, it is obviously impossible for you to get an MD from that school.</p>
<p>In general, DO schools tend to be less prestigious and easier to gain admission into than MD schools. The most prestigious (and most selective) medical programs like Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Duke, and UCSF, are MD-granting institutions. However, like I said, earning a DO fully qualifies you to practice medicine.</p>
<p>kinda sounds like the easy way out to me...</p>
<p>and easy meaning like kind of a shortcut to being a doctor, not necessarily "easy"</p>
<p>Not a shortcut. You still need to do 4 years undergrad. Then 4 years med school. Then a residency like normal. Nowadays they are both basically the same.</p>
<p>so what can a DO do that and MD cant or vice versa</p>
<p>You can go into any specialty as a DO or an MD. I believe there are DO specific residencies and MD specific residencies, but most take either or, as long as you are qualified? Not so sure about that part, but I do know that you can be a Surgeon and a DO if you so desire. They are equal degrees in the medical community.</p>
<p>For all intents and purposes, the degrees are equal.</p>
<p>^^^^^^^^
I agree, however, for some reason D.O.s are looked down upon.</p>
<p>It's a marketing issue, like Intel & AMD.</p>
<p>DOs that practice in our hospital are extremely well thought of--especially the incoming residents. Maybe my imagination but the DOs seem to have a bit more compassion.</p>
<p>
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for some reason D.O.s are looked down upon
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</p>
<p>I think the main reason for that is simple - in general, DO schools are easier to get into than MD schools. Yes, there are some MD schools that are easier to get into than some DO schools, but on average, it is easier to get into a DO school than an MD school. Furthermore, there is no DO school that is affiliated with a university that has pop-culture mystique like a Harvard, a Yale, or a Stanford. </p>
<p>What would change the perception quickly is if a university like Harvard were to begin running a DO program that was just as selective as the Harvard MD program.</p>
<p>^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Certainly. I actually hope that happens within the next few years, simply because D.O.s are not receiving the respect they deserve (for the most part).</p>