Are there two types of doctors, MD and DO? Let's find out the exact difference (MD vs. DO)

When someone is sick, we say, "Go see a doctor." But have you ever thought that even though we generally call them 'doctors', there are some slight differences in their qualifications? Basically, doctors can be divided into two categories: MD and DO. Don't be alarmed when you hear these two names. Both are equally skilled and qualified doctors. However, there is a slight difference in the way they look at a disease and the way they treat it. Let's talk about this in a simple way today.

Who is this MD?

MD stands for Doctor of Medicine . These are the doctors we see and meet most often. MD doctors follow the Allopathic system of medicine.

Simply put, this is what we know as traditional Western medicine. What happens here is that you are diagnosed with your symptoms and then you are treated directly for that disease or symptom. For example, you are treated using things like X-rays, prescriptions, and surgery.

MDs can work as a family doctor (Family/Primary Care Doctor). Or, they can study further and gain expertise in a particular field. For example:

• Surgery
• Expertise in specific parts of the body, such as heart disease and neurological diseases
• Psychiatry
• Pediatrics
• Geriatric medicine

Then who says this is DO?

DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. They use traditional medical methods, just like MDs. This means they have full authority and training to prescribe medications and perform surgeries. However, they also use a few special methods.

The main philosophy of DO doctors is ``Holistic``. That is, when looking at a patient , they treat the whole body as a single unit, not just the symptoms . Here, your body, mind, and emotions are considered. They also pay great attention to prevention, that is, preventing illness before it occurs.

In addition, DOs receive special training in how bones, muscles, and nerves work together . They learn a special form of treatment called ``Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)''. In this, they can diagnose and treat diseases by applying gentle pressure or traction to various parts of the body with their hands.

What are the similarities between MD and DO?

The educational path for both of these qualifications is largely similar.

1. Education: Both must first complete a 4-year bachelor's degree. Then they will receive a 4-year medical school education.

2. Training: After medical school, both must complete an internship and a residency. During this training, MD and DO students often train together, in the same hospitals, under experienced doctors.

3. Licensing: Before practicing medicine professionally, both must pass licensing exams.

4. Quality of care: There is no difference in the quality of care received from an MD or a DO. A large study conducted in the United States found that there was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay, readmission rate, or recovery rate of patients treated by these two types of doctors.

The main differences between MD and DO

Despite all these similarities, there are some key differences between the two. Let's look at this in a table.

Are DO and Chiropractor the same?

This is where many people get confused. Although the OMM treatment that DO doctors perform may seem similar to what a Chiropractor does, the two are completely different.

• A DO is a fully qualified physician. They can prescribe medications, perform surgeries, and specialize in any medical field.
• A chiropractor is not a doctor. They are not allowed to prescribe medication or perform surgery. Their focus is mainly on problems with the spine and musculoskeletal system.

So who should I choose? MD or DO?

The important thing to understand here is that neither of these two is "better" or "worse" than the other. Both are skilled, trained doctors.

However, in the context of Sri Lanka, the majority of doctors in our country follow the ``Allopathic`` system of MD doctors. DO qualifications are not very common in Sri Lanka. However, that does not mean that there are no ``Holistic`` or holistic doctors in Sri Lanka. Even some MD doctors take into account the patient's lifestyle, mental health, and treat them with the overall well-being in mind.

You can consider these things when choosing a doctor:

• Your needs: Do you want a direct treatment for your symptoms? Or do you want a doctor who can also talk about your lifestyle and eating habits and give you advice on how to prevent the disease from recurring?
• Medical condition: If you have back pain, neck pain, or chronic muscle pain, you may benefit more from a doctor who takes a holistic approach to treatment, perhaps with knowledge of methods like OMM.
• Personal preference: Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a doctor you can talk to easily, who understands you, and who you can trust. It is very important to build a good relationship with your doctor .

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