MD vs DO

[Mulan]

Any opinions on having a family practice doc that is a DO versus having one that is an MD?

[Flo., BSN, RN]

I see a DO. I love him and his office. They have acupuncture and massage. It feels much more holistic then my last MD.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

I think the differences noted are due to personality. Their education, while not identical, is comparable. They all pass the same exams and are all safe and effective practitioners. Find a provider you like and trust, and forget the title.

[Music in My Heart]

They are the same.

They most certainly are NOT the same. DO's have a whole other set of treatment modalities that they can employ if they deem them appropriate. In addition to the medical therapeutics which the MDs can offer, many DOs can also offer a range of manipulative therapies. Think "a *real* physician who can do everything (and so much more) than can a chiropractor."

Traditional DOs are, in my opinion, much more well-rounded physicians.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I agree with Fribblet. Clinically, there's no difference. Scope of practice is exactly the same.

Differences between MDs and DOs come from individual personality difference, rather than the different letters, IMO.

Collaborative care comes more from the institution, rather than MD vs. DO. The hospital where I used to work, there was definitely a hierarchy and the physicians didn't have a lot of respect for the RNs. Where I work now, there's a much more collaborative attitude, and the RNs are considered equal but different, and are afforded just as much respect by the physicians.

[ObtundedRN, BSN, RN]

My understanding is that DO schools also prefer applicants with a variety of other healthcare training, like RN, paramedic, EMT, etc. MD's like to see you have some healthcare interaction, but what i've read and heard, they aren't too big on taking RNs etc.

[EDrunnerRN]

In the ER where I work we have both MD's and DO's. I LOVE our DO's. Unlike many of the MD's they are not so quick to prescribe a "cure all medication." In fact, one of our DO's gets a lot of grief from patient's because she refuses to prescribe antibiotics to the patient with cold symptoms for 3 days, instead she gives them a print out on how to treat the common cold...I am definately a fan of the DO's!

[Fribblet]

My understanding is that DO schools also prefer applicants with a variety of other healthcare training, like RN, paramedic, EMT, etc. MD's like to see you have some healthcare interaction, but what i've read and heard, they aren't too big on taking RNs etc.

Their requirements are also, interestingly, slightly less strict as MD programs.

I believe the GPA requirement is a smidge lower.