MD vs DO Training Programs
Both allopathic and osteopathic medical students spend their first years of med school on classroom and laboratory coursework in subjects like biochemistry, anatomy, and biomedical ethics.
They then spend the final two years in clinical rotations across various medical specialties such as pediatrics, family medicine, and internal medicine.
One main difference in the training DOs receive is the special focus on the musculoskeletal system. In DO programs, over 200 hours of instruction in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) or osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) have to be completed.
This unique approach equips osteopathic physicians with a more whole-body understanding of how an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect the rest. OMM/OMT have similarities to chiropractic adjustments, but they aren’t the same thing.
USMLE vs. COMLEX Exams
To be a medical doctor, students of both programs will be assessed on their application of knowledge, concepts, and principles they’ve learned. They will also have to demonstrate their ability to provide effective patient care.
The licensure for MD and DO graduates differ. MD students take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). This exam consists of 3 steps, with the third step taken after the first year of MD residency.
DO graduates are required to take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). The COMLEX includes a section on OMM, reflecting the osteopathic emphasis on the musculoskeletal system and a whole-person approach to treatment.
Read Next: How to Successfully Reapply to Medical School and Get a “Yes!”
Residency Similarities and Differences
Residency is a 3 to 7-year-long postgraduate training program that students take after getting their DO or MD degree. During this time, a resident had the opportunity to hone their skills for a particular specialty.
Both MD and DO graduates apply for residency programs through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), often referred to as “The Match.”
Both DOs and MDs can practice in any specialty, but due to the holistic nature of osteopathy, osteopathic doctors are more often seen in primary care specialties and medical practices.
According to the AAMC’s most recent Physician Specialty Data Report, 32% of MDs practice in primary care fields (including family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics). The AOA reports 57% of DOs practice in primary care.
Background: In 2020, the AOA and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) completed a 5-year transition to a single accreditation system for all U.S. residency programs. Before this time, DO graduates had the opportunity to to match for residency spots via NMRP or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Match.
This merger allows DO graduates to compete for the same residency spots as MD graduates, having one residency match, and further aligning the training paths of MDs and DOs.
We can help you match with the residency of your choice with comprehensive coaching.