Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

medicine

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July 19, 2026

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A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) is a fully licensed physician in the United States who has earned a degree in osteopathic medicine. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes a holistic approach, considering the whole person and the interconnectedness of the body's systems. D.O.s utilize a range of treatments, including medication, surgery, and manual manipulation of musculoskeletal tissues, to prevent and treat disease.12

D.O. degrees are graduate degrees in the U.S., requiring students to complete an undergraduate degree with premed coursework before entering a four-year program. After their degree, they undertake a residency, similar to those with a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. Both D.O.s and M.D.s are qualified to practice medicine, with D.O.s often working in primary care.134

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Doctor of Medicine
Allopathic versus osteopathic medical degrees
However, there is also a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (D.O.), a qualification for practicing osteopathic medicine, which focuses on both the mind and the body and on treating the body as a whole system. Regardless of whether the degree is a D.O. or an M.D., the qualifications and coursework…
Read More
However, there is also a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (D.O.), a qualification for practicing osteopathic medicine, which focuses on both the mind and the body and on treating the body as a whole system. Regardless of whether the degree is a D.O. or an M.D., the qualifications and coursework…
Read More