drfeely.com/app/(pages)/articles/(content)/what-is-a-do/page.tsx
2023-10-20 14:25:25 -05:00

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import Article from "@/components/Article";
import { Metadata } from "next";
export const metadata: Metadata = {
title: "Article - What is D.O.? | Dr. Feely",
authors: [{ name: "Richard A. Feely, D.O., FAAO, FCA, FAAMA" }],
description: `If you're like most people, you've been going to a doctor ever
since you were born, and perhaps were not aware whether you were seeing a D.O.
(osteopathic physician) or an M.D. (allopathic physician). You may not even be
aware that there are two types of complete physicians in the United States.`,
};
const ArticleWhatIsADo = () => {
return (
<Article
title="What is D.O.?"
author="Richard A. Feely, D.O., FAAO, FCA, FAAMA"
>
<p>
If you're like most people, you've been going to a doctor ever since you
were born, and perhaps were not aware whether you were seeing a D.O.
(osteopathic physician) or an M.D. (allopathic physician). You may not
even be aware that there are two types of complete physicians in the
United States.
</p>
<p>
The fact is, that both D.O.s and M.D.s are fully qualified physicians
licensed to perform surgery and prescribe medication in all 50 states.
Is there any difference between these two kinds of doctors? Yes. And no.
</p>
<h2>DOs and MDs</h2>
<ol>
<li>
Applicants to both D.O. and M.D. colleges typically have a four-year
undergraduate degree with an emphasis on scientific courses.
</li>
<li>
Both D.O.s and M.D.s complete four years of basic medical education.
</li>
<li>
After medical school, both D.O.s and M.D.s can choose to practice in a
specialty area of medicine&ndash;such as psychiatry, surgery or
obstetrics&ndash;after completing a residency program which requires
an additional two to six years of training.
</li>
<li>
Both D.O.s and M.D.s must pass comparable state licensing
examinations.
</li>
<li>
D.O.s and M.D.s both practice in fully accredited and licensed health
care facilities.
</li>
<li>
D.O.s comprise a separate, yet equal branch of American medical care.
Together, D.O.s and M.D.s enhance the state of care available in
America.
</li>
</ol>
<h2>Something Extra</h2>
<ul>
<li>
Osteopathic medical schools emphasize training students to be primary
care physicians.
</li>
<li>Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive health care.</li>
<li>
D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system — your
body's interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up
two-thirds of its body mass. This training provides osteopathic
physicians with a better understanding of the ways that an injury or
illness in one part of your body can affect another.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is incorporated in the training
and practice of osteopathic physicians. With OMT, osteopathic physicians
use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage your
body's natural tendency toward good health. By combining all other
medical procedures with OMT, D.O.s offer their patients the most
comprehensive care available in medicine today.
</p>
<h2>More than a Century of Care</h2>
<p>
Osteopathic medicine is a unique form of American medical care that was
developed in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. Dr. Still was dissatisfied
with the effectiveness of 19th Century medicine. He believed that many
of the medications of his day were useless or even harmful. Dr. Still
was one of the first in his time to study the attributes of good health
so that he could better understand the process of disease.
</p>
<p>
In response, Dr. Still founded a philosophy of medicine based on ideas
that date back to Hippocrates, the father of medicine. The philosophy
focuses on the unity of all body parts. He identified the
musculoskeletal system as a key element of health. He recognized the
body's ability to heal itself and stressed preventive medicine, eating
properly and keeping fit.
</p>
<p>
Dr. Still pioneered the concept of “wellness” more than 125 years ago.
In today's terms, personal health risks&ndash;such as smoking, high
blood pressure, excessive cholesterol levels, stress and other lifestyle
factors&ndash;are evaluated for each individual. In coordination with
appropriate medical treatment, the osteopathic physician acts as a
teacher to help patients take more responsibility for their own
well-being and change unhealthy patterns.
</p>
<p>
For more about the history of the profession, visit The History of
Osteopathic Medicine Virtual Museum.
</p>
<p>
Just as Dr. Still pioneered osteopathic medicine on the Missouri
frontier in 1874, today osteopathic physicians serve as modern day
medical pioneers.
</p>
<ul>
<li>
Over half of all osteopathic physicians practice in primary care areas
such as pediatrics, family practice, obstetrics/gynecology and
internal medicine.
</li>
<li>
Many D.O.s fill a critical need for doctors by practicing in rural and
medically underserved areas.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
Today osteopathic physicians continue to be on the cutting edge of
modern medicine. D.O.s are able to combine today's medical technology
with their ears, to listen compassionately to their patients; their
eyes, to see their patients as whole persons; and their hands, to
diagnose and treat injury as well as illness.
</p>
<p>
“As an osteopathic physician, I believe in prevention. I am committed to
educating my patients so they can take the necessary steps to live and
maintain healthier lifestyles.”
</p>
<p>Tyler C. Cymet, D.O., Internal medicine, Baltimore</p>
</Article>
);
};
export default ArticleWhatIsADo;