In a medical context, the designation “DO” stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. This degree signifies a fully licensed physician who has completed training at an accredited osteopathic medical school in the United States. The DO degree is a parallel track to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, with both types of physicians holding unlimited practice rights.
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Defined
Osteopathic Medicine is a distinct branch of American medical practice founded in 1874 by physician Andrew Taylor Still. This medical philosophy centers on the concept of the body as a unified system, where all parts—body, mind, and spirit—are interconnected. Osteopathic physicians are trained to approach diagnosis and treatment with this comprehensive, whole-person perspective.
A core tenet of this approach is the belief in the body’s innate ability to self-regulate, self-heal, and maintain health. This informs a medical practice that places a significant emphasis on preventative care and wellness. Osteopathic physicians work to remove barriers to the body’s natural healing processes, focusing on how different systems influence one another.
A distinguishing feature is the training in the interrelationship between the body’s structure and function, particularly the musculoskeletal system. This is the foundation for Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), a set of hands-on techniques used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. These principles ensure that a DO physician looks beyond immediate symptoms to identify potential root causes of dysfunction, integrating a broader view of health into their practice.
The Path to Becoming a Dermatologist
The path to becoming a board-certified dermatologist is highly demanding and largely identical for both DO and MD physicians. Both complete four years of intensive medical school training, covering all basic and clinical sciences. They must also pass licensing examinations to practice medicine, with DOs typically taking the Comprehensive Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX).
After medical school, aspiring dermatologists enter a specialized residency program, which typically requires a preliminary year followed by three years of dermatology-specific training. Dermatology is one of the most competitive specialties for residency placement, with applicants from both DO and MD schools competing for a limited number of spots. The application process is unified, with graduates applying through the same centralized residency match system.
The residency training is standardized and rigorous, ensuring all graduates are equally proficient in diagnosing and treating skin, hair, and nail conditions. This uniformity means that a DO dermatologist is fully qualified to perform the same procedures, prescribe the same medications, and utilize the same advanced technologies as their MD counterparts. Both DOs and MDs must pass board certification exams upon completion of residency.
Clinical Practice and Patient Experience
In the dermatology clinic, the DO philosophy manifests in a focus on comprehensive, patient-centered care. While a DO dermatologist uses standard medical treatments like prescription medications, biopsies, and surgical procedures, their osteopathic background prompts a deeper inquiry into systemic factors.
For example, a DO may be inclined to explore a patient’s diet, stress levels, and lifestyle habits when treating chronic conditions like severe acne, eczema, or psoriasis. This holistic approach means the dermatologist considers how internal health and the external environment contribute to the skin condition, rather than simply treating visible symptoms. The goal is to partner with the patient to address the complete picture of their health.
The treatments and clinical services provided by a DO dermatologist are indistinguishable from those offered by an MD dermatologist. These services range from skin cancer screenings and mole removals to cosmetic procedures and laser therapies. The primary difference is the physician’s underlying mindset, which guides them to consider the skin as an outward reflection of the entire body’s well-being. This perspective aims to provide a more thorough and individualized treatment plan, focusing on achieving long-term health outcomes.