There are two main types of physicians in the United States—MDs and DOs. And there appears to be a bit of uncertainty regarding these doctor credentials. A potential patient who recently called the clinic was convinced that DO stood for doctor of oriental medicine! Actually, MDs and DOs are much the same. MD stands for medical doctor and DO is short for doctor of osteopathy. All licensed physicians, whether they are MDs or DOs, have similar education and training. Both require four-year undergraduate degrees with an emphasis in the sciences, plus four years of post-graduate medical education.
After graduating from medical school, MDs and DOs both choose specialties and complete residency programs, which typically take two to six years. Finally, they must pass comparable licensing examinations in order to practice medicine. To sum it up, both MDs and DOs are fully qualified physicians who can prescribe medications, perform surgeries, and treat patients in hospital and clinical settings.
Some of the physicians at the Whitaker Wellness Institute are MDs, others are DOs, but all of them are highly qualified, competent doctors. You can learn more about our talented team here.
