Osteopathic degrees gaining popularity in the world of medicine
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- With the D.O. designation becoming more common for doctors and a new medical school at Benedictine College focusing on osteopathic degrees, some may have questions about the difference between those practitioners and the more traditional M.D. role.
Today, the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees (D.O.) are interchangeable in many cases, those involved in both fields say. However, according to family medicine physician Greg Dean, who holds an M.D. degree, this has not always been the case.
“When I entered medical school, many D.O. programs were not emphasizing a deep scientific and evidence-based medicine approach,” Dean said. “However, that has actually shifted. Right now, the D.O. and M.D. approaches to training about medicine is almost identical.”
Dean said one distinction now is that some trained in osteopathic medicine (D.O.) incorporate osteopathic manipulative treatment, which can involve gentle pressure, stretching or other hands-on techniques to address muscular and skeletal issues. OMT training is a required part of D.O. training in medical schools that offer this degree, according to the American Osteopathic Association.
Because of these added techniques, D.O. programs claim to offer a more holistic approach that takes seriously lifestyle and environmental factors in patient care.
Stan Sluder, executive vice president of the new medical school in development at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, said his institution is choosing to offer the D.O. degree because of its holistic reputation.
“As a religious school, we want to model our approach to medical training after what we see as the pattern of Christ,” Sluder said. “Osteopathic medicine has a strong reputation for dealing with the whole person — body, soul and spirit — and that’s how we see that as closest to the healing ministry of Christ for the whole person.”
Sluder said the medical school hopes to address the health care provider shortage in rural areas and the college’s leadership has noted a growing number of osteopathic doctors in rural parts of Kansas and Missouri.
Dean acknowledged the growing popularity and status of the D.O. degree in rural parts of Missouri, adding that it is not uncommon to see osteopathic doctors alongside those trained as traditional doctors of medicine in many practices. Dean said that one of his partners has a D.O. degree and their approach to treating patients is almost identical.
Both those with an M.D. and those with a D.O. can be found in virtually every specialization, including pediatrics, family medicine and surgery. Dean said that a holistic approach is also important to those with an M.D., and that because those with a D.O. grew most quickly in areas like family practice and OB/GYN specialties, they seem to have gained more of a reputation as “holistic.”
“Ultimately, I would encourage everyone to get established with a primary care doctor, whether M.D. or D.O.,” Dean said. “The key is to maintain a good relationship with your doctor and know that they care about your health.”
