In today's healthcare environment, you can't afford to ignore the fact that osteopathic medicine is a primary
choice in good medical care.
There are nearly 40,000 doctors of osteopathic medicine (D.O.s) throughout the country who treat hundreds of
thousands of patients every single day.
If D.O.s are not in your plan, then read on to learn how you and your subscribers can benefit from having
D.O.s as a choice.
Subscriber Loyalty
Including this important profession in your plan can go a long way toward helping you realize your plan's objectives for increased subscribers.
This has been shown in a recent survey of more than 825,500 physician referral requests in eight major cities. Consumer Health Reports, Inc., a
non-profit group, found that one of the top five requested qualities of family practitioners is that they be a D.O..
This puts osteopathic training with other top qualities such as: extended appointment hours, a female doctor, and an interactive/educational
style.
By giving your subscribers the flexibility of choice, you immediately increase their receptiveness and loyalty to the plan.
An added treatment: OMT
D.O.s are dedicated to preventive, primary care medicine and can offer osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) as a unique tool.
OMT is incorporated in the training and practice of D.O.s, which gives them a diagnostic and therapeutic advantage.
Its basis is hands-on treatment of the musculoskeletal system. Manipulating this interconnected network of nerves, muscles, and bones can
encourage the body's natural tendency to heal and maintain good health.
OMT is commonly used by D.O. family practitioners and specialists for many different medical conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, and
headaches. By combining OMT with medication, surgery, and other procedures, D.O.s offer patients the most comprehensive care available.
Comparable qualifications of D.O.s and M.D.s
- Applicants to both D.O. and M.D. colleges typically have a 4-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on science courses.
- Both D.O.s and M.D.s complete 4 years of basic medical education.
- After medical school, D.O.s complete an internship. Then, both D.O.s and M.D.s can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine
-- such as psychiatry, surgery, or obstetrics -- after completing a residency program (usually 3 to 6 years).
- Both D.O.s and M.D.s must pass the same or equivalent state licensing examinations.
- D.O.s and M.D.s both practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers.
| Percent D.O.s of all complete physicians |
5% |
| Percent D.O.s of primary care physicians |
9% |
| Percent of current osteopathic medical school graduates who practice primary care |
50% |
| Percent of current allopathic (M.D.) medical school graduates who practice primary care |
15% |
|
