SDN Osteopathic Medicine Wiki
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Osteopathic Medicine
Definition
Osteopathic medicine is essentially a unique philosophy to traditional medicine. It is a therapeutic system originally based upon the premise that manipulation of the muscles and bones could restore or preserve health. Osteopathic medicine has evolved with conventional medicine. Modern osteopathic physicians use the diagnostic and therapeutic techniques of conventional medicine, surgery and physical manipulation to treat patients.
D.O. = Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
History
Osteopathic medicine, previously known as 'osteopathy,' was developed in the late 1800s by physician Andrew Taylor Still.
Education
US trained osteopathic physicians attend 4-year medical schools with a traditional 2 year didactic portion (MS-I and MS-II) followed by a traditional 2 year clinical portion (MS-III and MS-IV). Following graduation from medical school, osteopathic physicians complete residency training through standard AOA or ACGME certified residency programs.
Osteopathic medical students receive their additional training in musculoskeletal manipulation during their MS-I and MS-II years. Many schools offer an additional year of training for those students who wish to specialize in osteopathic manipulative medicine (O.M.M.).
Licensure
D.O.s are licensed to perform the full practice of medicine and surgery in all 50 states. Some states have separate licensing boards for MD and DO physicians, others have unified licensing boards.
