Licensed physicians in the United States are either Doctors of Medicine (MDs) or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs). While the majority of physicians are MDs, the number of DOs is growing. Students preparing to apply to these programs follow the same undergraduate pathway. You will take the same courses, prepare for and take the MCAT, and earn your bachelor’s degree. Both sets of students will attend medical school for four years followed by a residency. MDs and DOs can both choose any specialty. The difference between the two degrees lies in the approach to medicine. The approach of osteopathic medicine is focused on the whole person and involves training in osteopathic manipulative medicine in addition to training in typical areas. To learn more about osteopathic medicine, visit the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine’s website.
Many Sewanee students have attended VCOM (the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine) and LMU-DCOM (Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine), among other osteopathic schools. Cortney Booth, C’12 and current LMU-DCOM student, describes her decision to attend a DO program on the OMHP blog.
