The D.O. Difference

What is a D.O.?

• D.O.s are fully licensed physicians who:• Prescribe medicine

• Focus on preventative health care

• Practice a "whole person" approach to medicine

Why Become a D.O.?

• History of the profession

• Osteopathic medicine today

• Similarities between D.O.s and M.Ds

• The D.O. Difference

History of the Profession

• Andrew Taylor Still, M.D., D.O

• Founder of Osteopathic Medicine

First Osteopathic Medical School,

Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

D.O.s Have Been Making a Difference for More Than a

Century

Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O.Col. Ronald A. Maul, D.O., M.C., U.S.A.

Similarities Between D.O.s and M.D.s

• Fully licensed physicians

• Four years of medical education

• Choose any specialty area

The Similarities Continue…

• Pass state licensing exams

• Prescribe medication and perform surgery

• Covered by major insurance plans

• Practice in fully accredited and licensed facilities

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)

• Requires hands-on approach

• Enables D.O.s to treat and diagnose injuries or illnesses

D.O.s Treat the Whole Person

• D.O.s believe a person is more than just the sum of their parts

Osteopathic Medicine Today

• 23 osteopathic medical schools in 26 locations

• Over 59,000 D.O.s in the U.S.

RequirementsThe average osteopathic medical school applicant meets the following requirements:

MCATVerbal 7.97Physical 7.76Biology 8.26

Overall GPA3.36

Science GPA3.23

For More Information

American Osteopathic Association142 East OntarioChicago, IL 60611-6824Phone: (800) 621-1773, ext. 8291E-mail: info@osteopathic.orgorwww.aacom.org