The practical difference between an Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN) who holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree and one with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree is subtle, rooted primarily in their foundational philosophy of care. Both MD and DO physicians are fully licensed to practice medicine, including performing surgery and prescribing medication, across all 50 U.S. states. Both types of degrees lead to a physician who provides comprehensive care for women, encompassing pregnancy, childbirth, and the full scope of gynecological health. The choice between them often comes down to an individual preference for a physician’s general approach rather than a difference in legal scope of practice.
Foundational Education and Licensing
The path to becoming a licensed physician is similar for both MD and DO candidates, beginning with four years of medical school training. MD students attend allopathic medical schools, while DO students attend osteopathic medical schools; both types of institutions are accredited and maintain rigorous academic standards. The curriculum in both programs covers the same basic sciences, such as anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology, and includes extensive clinical rotations in various medical specialties.
A primary distinction lies in the required national licensing examinations that must be passed to obtain a medical license. MD students traditionally take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), while DO students take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). Both exam series are multi-part assessments designed to evaluate a candidate’s medical knowledge and clinical skills before residency training. Both degrees authorize the holder to practice medicine with full prescriptive and surgical rights after successful completion of their post-graduate training.
Distinctions in Approach and Training Focus
The most significant philosophical difference lies in the traditional approach to patient care, which stems from the origins of each medical discipline. MDs are trained in allopathic medicine, which focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases and symptoms using modern, evidence-based methods, including pharmaceuticals and surgery. DOs are trained in osteopathic medicine, which emphasizes a holistic, whole-person approach, viewing the body as an interconnected system capable of self-regulation and self-healing.
This osteopathic philosophy translates into a unique, additional element in the DO medical school curriculum: mandatory training in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), also referred to as Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM). DO students complete approximately 200 hours of extra hands-on training focused on the musculoskeletal system, which is believed to influence the health of other body systems. OMT is a non-invasive, hands-on diagnostic and therapeutic tool that uses various techniques, such as stretching, gentle pressure, and joint mobilization, to restore proper body mechanics and function.
The goal of OMT is to relieve pain, promote mobility, and support the body’s natural healing processes by addressing structural imbalances. While allopathic physicians may adopt a patient-centered approach, the DO’s training formally integrates this structural and functional perspective into their diagnostic process. This additional training provides the DO OB/GYN with a non-pharmacological tool that can be applied to address musculoskeletal issues, such as lower back pain during pregnancy or pelvic girdle dysfunction.
The OB/GYN Residency and Practice
Once medical school is complete, both MD and DO graduates enter the same centralized National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) to secure a residency position. The pathway to becoming a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology is a demanding four-year residency program, now universally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This means MD and DO residents train side-by-side in the same programs, completing identical rotations in labor and delivery, gynecologic surgery, primary care, and subspecialty areas.
The scope of practice for an OB/GYN, regardless of their degree, is the same. They are trained to manage high-risk pregnancies, perform complex gynecological surgeries like hysterectomies and Cesarean sections, and provide routine preventative care. After completing the four-year residency, both physicians are eligible for board certification.
MD OB/GYNs typically seek certification through the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG), while DO OB/GYNs can be certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AOBOG). The AOBOG now accepts a passing score on the ABOG written exam, demonstrating a high degree of convergence in the expected knowledge base. In the clinical setting, both degrees grant the same hospital privileges and prescriptive authority, meaning the quality and standard of obstetrical and gynecological care are functionally equivalent. The difference in the letters after the name represents a distinction in foundational training and philosophy, but not a limitation on the physician’s ability to practice comprehensive women’s health.