Osteopathic Physician (D.O.)

Duties and Responsibilities:

Osteopathic physicians use accepted methods of diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases.  Although they practice in all branches of medicine and surgery like allopathic physicians (M.D.s), they differ by emphasizing the importance of the musculoskeletal system, holistic medicine, proper nutrition, and environmental factors in maintaining good health.  Osteopaths use a hands-on approach to medicine and frequently manipulate or palpate as part of diagnosis and treatment.  They work primarily in osteopathic hospitals or private practice, however many allopathic hospitals now accept osteopathic physicians as staff members.  The majority of osteopaths are general practitioners, family practitioners, or emergency medicine specialists.

Average Salary:  $110,000

Educational Requirements:

Students should take the most challenging high school courses (including AP or IB courses) available in science, math, and English.

After three or four years of college, prospective physicians must attend medical school.  Undergraduate requirements for admission to all medical schools include one year of basic chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, one year of biology, and one year of physics.  Some medical schools also require course work in calculus, English, the humanities, or social science.

Medical school usually includes two years of additional study in both basic and clinical sciences and is followed by a year-long hospital internship.  Physicians who want to specialize must then undertake a three-year residency in their specialty.