primary care physician question

[battricia]

hi I need help with a quick question. I'm trying to find a primary care physician for the insurance i'm getting, and some Dr.s have next to their name DO, and others have MD, what's the difference between the two, and which one do I want?!? Thanks.

tricia.

 

[sharbear]

A DO is an osteopath, a pactitioner of osteopathy. The are kind of a cross between a medical doctor (MD) and a chiropractor. They use back manipulation along with prescribing drugs to treat patients.

 

[Dixielady908]

A DO. is a Doctor of Osteopathic medicine...which means they do manipulations...MD is medical doctor, family practice or internal med. Also, a DO is an MD they just do futher schooling for their DO.
Hope this helps..

Denise

 

[battricia]

Would you choose one for your primary physician?? I somewhat understand what you're saying, but I'm not sure whether or not I would want that as my normal dr. Though I haven't even BEEN to a dr. in a year and a half.

tricia.

 

[meandtheguys]

All of the DO's I know practice what I would call traditional medicine. (my dad's a DO) All of my physicians are DO's because of family loyalty, and I 've never met an MD i liked better.
Pick a doctor that you relate to and has similar values to yours is my advice.

Good luck,

Michelle

 

[Allie322]

Dh's best friend is a DO. Yes, they traditionally practiced homeopathic, holistic medicine but I think you'll find that they are exactly like an MD nowadays. They do learn about manipulations and such in med. school. Our friend did all of his residencies side by side MDs. My OB/GYN is a DO, and my primary care physician is an MD--just the way it worked out. It really doesn't make a difference, in my opinion. If you find a doctor that you are comfortable with, go for it--regardless of whether he/she is a DO or MD.

 

[Disney Ella]

I've had several DOs and not one of them has ever done spinal manipulations on me. I'm sure they know how, but none of them ever suggested it, and I have back and neck problems. There is no difference in the level of treatment between a DO and MD, in my experience. I really don't think one is any better than the other.

 

[battricia]

Great! thank you all so much for your help!

tricia.

 

[J&D]

I have also been to several DOs, and they have always treated me like an MD would. I asked a nurse what the difference was between an MD and DO, and she said that basically there really isn't much of a difference except that DOs have had more med school training. I felt better knowing that my dr had more training than most other drs who are MDs.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Originally posted by J&D
I asked a nurse what the difference was between an MD and DO, and she said that basically there really isn't much of a difference except that DOs have had more med school training. I felt better knowing that my dr had more training than most other drs who are MDs.

I always thought it was the opposite...MDs had more schooling than DOs...learn something new every day! Thanks!

 

[Galahad]

Also, a DO is an MD they just do further schooling for their DO.

The "further schooling" is not "medical" though. They are not the equivalent of MDs. (They are the legal equivalent, but not necessarily the clinical equivalent). DO do take part in traditional residency programs though along side MDs.