What is the difference between a doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) and a medical doctor (M.D.)?
First, let us look at the similarities.  Both types of doctors:

• Require four years of medical school
• Learn about the physiology and anatomy of the human body
• Practice the full scope of modern medicine
• Pursue medical research
• Prescribe drugs
• Can perform surgery
• Require residence education to specialize
• Can specialize in any medical field

Now, here are the differences.  D.O.s:

• Learn Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) in medical school where they can use their hands to treat and diagnose patients
• Focus on the patient as a whole and not as a symptom or disease integrating mind, body, and spirit when practicing medicine
• Apply preventative medicine where they work with their patients to help each individual maintain their health
• View surgery and prescribing drugs as a last resort and attempt healing in a more natural way first

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