Comparing the Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) Program to

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Osteopathy

Osteopaths graduating from both programs are able to open their own clinics and work

independently or be employed by other rehab clinics in all the countries of the world including

Canada, USA, England, Australia, Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Japan,

South Korea, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, South Africa, Tanzania, Brazil,

Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Russia, Ukraine & Latvia.

The average income is slightly more for the DOs as they are generally busier in practice than others

as they are trained to offer more services to patients and they are able to read x-rays. For the above

reasons doctors of osteopathy have more employment options as well compared to other

osteopaths.

DO BSc (Osteopathy)

Study Time (category 1 students) 4 years full time (category 1) 3 years full time (category 1) Accelerated Study time (categories 2 & 3) for students with prior health education: physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, physicians, kinesiologists, manual osteopaths, etc)

2 years full time (category 2) 1 year full time (category 3) No part time

1 year full time (category 2) 6 months full time (category 3) No part time

Total Tuition (category 1 students)

€12,000 (Euro)

€9,000 (Euro)

Total Tuition (category 2 students)

€6,000

€3,000

Total Tuition (category 3 students)

€3,000

€1,500

Books

€100 to €400 per semester

€100 to €400 per semester

Designation

DO

BSc (Osteopathy)

Average Annual Income

$90,000 +

$90,000

Hourly Treatment Fee

$80 to $140

$60 to $140

International Osteopathic Association (IOA) License Number

Must become IOA member to receive license to practice

Must become IOA member to receive license to practice

Malpractice Insurance Cost

$500 to $700 per year

$300 to $500 per year Practice

Primary health practitioner. Can open independent clinic and see patients directly without supervision.

Primary health practitioner. Can open independent clinic and see patients directly without supervision.

Osteopathic Assessment Able to perform assessments Able to perform assessments

Medical Diagnosis

Able to medically diagnose

Able to Medical diagnosis Osteopathic Techniques

Able to perform all osteopathic techniques

Able to perform all osteopathic techniques

Physiotherapy

Able to provide physiotherapy modalities to patients

Able to provide physiotherapy modalities with extra training

Decompression Traction Therapy (DTT)

Able to perform DTT

Able to perform DTT with extra training

Custom Made Orthotic Casting & dispensing

Able to cast & dispense

Able to cast & dispense with extra training

Support Hose Fitting

Able to fit compression socks

Able to fit compression socks with extra training

Clinical Ergonomic Services

Able to provide clinical ergonomics to patients

Able to provide this service only with extra training

Independent Medical Evaluation (IME)

Able to perform

Able to perform AMA Impairment Rating

Able to perform

Able to perform

Disability Certificates

Able to sign

Able to sign

Treatment Plans

Able to sign

Able to sign

Functional Abilities Evaluation (FAE)

Able to perform FAE

Able to perform FAE with extra training

Home Based Assessment (HBA)

Able to perform HBA

Able to perform HBA with extra training

Job Site Analysis (JSA)

Able to perform JSA

Able to perform JSA with extra training

Osteopathy Treatment at Home

Permitted

Permitted

Hospital Work

Permitted

Permitted

University Teaching Position

Available as professor

Available as teacher`s assistant Research Position

May be hired as researcher

May be hired as research assistant

University Credit

Course accepted as university credit

Course accepted as university credit

Prerequisite

3 years Prior university education

High school graduation (grade 12 or equivalent)

Employment Potential Zero unemployment. All osteopaths work soon after

graduation.

Zero unemployment. All osteopaths work soon after graduation.

Radiology

Able to read X-rays

Not permitted

Specialty

Able to specialize in orthopaedics, neurology, sports medicine & rehabilitation medicine

Not available

Master’s Degree

Not able to enrol in a university

master’s program without having a bachelor’s degree

Able to enrol in most postgraduate

master’s programs including MBA

New Patients

Doctors offer more services (orthotics, ergonomics, physiotherapy, decompression) and they are more versatile clinically as they read x-rays. As a result they have more new patients.

Services are limited to osteopathic treatments unless additional courses are taken.

Prestige

No other degrees have the same prestige as a doctor of osteopathy. There are just a small number of DOs in the world so having a DO makes you belong to an exclusive club.

A bachelor`s degree is a great way to start a career as it is a gateway that takes you to many other directions. There are not many osteopaths with a bachelor`s degree and having a BSc in osteopathy makes you unique amongst your peers.

Each jurisdiction may have different health regulatory acts. Whenever the osteopathic scope of

practice conflicts with the regulatory laws of a jurisdiction; the law always prevails . Osteopaths must

always follow the health rules and regulations set in each jurisdiction.