The question of whether a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) can prescribe medication is common due to a general lack of clarity about this physician designation. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine are fully licensed physicians who practice the entire scope of medicine, including all specialties, alongside their Doctor of Medicine (MD) colleagues. This article clarifies the DO designation, their medical training, and the complete scope of their prescribing authority. Osteopathic physicians comprise a growing segment of the American healthcare system.
Defining the DO Designation
The educational path for a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is comprehensive and parallels that of an MD. Prospective DOs complete a four-year undergraduate degree, followed by four years of study at an accredited college of osteopathic medicine. This study includes classroom instruction and clinical rotations in various specialties. After medical school, DO graduates enter residency training, which lasts between three and seven years depending on the chosen specialty, identical to their MD counterparts.
Osteopathic physicians are licensed to practice medicine and surgery in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and internationally. They must pass the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) to obtain licensure. Many DOs also elect to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The primary academic difference is the inclusion of dedicated coursework in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) within the DO curriculum.
Full Prescribing Authority
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine possess full, unrestricted prescriptive authority for all classes of medications, the same as MDs. This authority extends across every state, U.S. territory, and military setting. Their medical license grants them the highest degree of prescribing power available to any healthcare provider.
This includes the right to prescribe controlled substances, which are categorized into Schedules II through V by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). To prescribe controlled substances, a DO, like an MD, must obtain a valid DEA registration number, a federal requirement. State medical boards and federal regulatory bodies treat DOs and MDs identically regarding the legal right to write prescriptions. The DO degree confers the legal right to prescribe independently and without limitation, unlike some other healthcare providers whose authority may be restricted.
Distinctive Treatment Approach
What distinguishes a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is their commitment to a philosophy of whole-person care. This approach views the patient as an integrated unit of body, mind, and spirit. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of all body systems and the body’s natural ability to heal. DOs focus on preventative care, health maintenance, and identifying the role of the musculoskeletal system in overall health.
A unique component of this training is Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), a hands-on diagnostic and therapeutic tool. OMT involves using the hands to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury by applying specific techniques to the patient’s joints, muscles, and tissues. Techniques range from gentle pressure and stretching to rapid, controlled forces, aiming to correct structural imbalances and improve the body’s function. OMT is utilized alongside or as an alternative to conventional medical treatments. While DOs have full prescribing authority, they often seek to optimize the body’s natural function first, reducing the reliance on medication when possible.