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If you’re looking for a doctor, should you choose a DO or an MD? Although they have similar training, they’re two different kinds of doctors.

DOs and MDs both go to medical school, complete residencies, and choose specialties. The main difference between MDs and DOs is their treatment philosophy. Choosing one or the other often comes down to personal preference.

When it comes to MDs versus DOs, here are some things to keep in mind.

What Is a DO?

A DO doctor is a doctor of osteopathic medicine. The guiding philosophy of osteopathic medicine is to treat the whole person — mind, body, and spirit. A DO also emphasizes disease prevention and education.

DOs receive training in how environmental and lifestyle factors may influence your health. They may use complementary methods of healing along with traditional approaches like surgery and medications. More than half of DOs are primary care or family practice doctors.

What Is an MD?

An MD is a doctor of medicine who practices allopathic or traditional medicine. That means their focus is on diagnosing and treating diseases and other medical conditions. Some people refer to MDs as “conventional doctors.”

MDs use medications and techniques such as surgery or radiation to treat illnesses. Many MDs choose a specialty such as urology, cardiology, or psychiatry.

How Many MDs vs. DOs in America?

There are currently many more MDs than DOs in the U.S. According to the American Osteopathic Association, only about 11% of all medical doctors in the U.S. are DOs.

However, osteopathic schools are gaining popularity among medical students. According to the American Medical Association, about one-quarter of U.S. medical students currently train at osteopathic medical schools. First-year enrollment at osteopathic medical schools rose by 68% between the 2011 to 2012 school year and the 2021 to 2022 school year.

What Is the Medical Training for DOs and MDs?

The training for both types of doctors is very similar. Both degrees lead to the practice of medicine, and both DOs and MDs can specialize in a particular field.

Here are some of the similarities and differences in how each type of doctor receives their training.

The similarities in DO and MD training

Each would-be doctor must earn an undergraduate degree from an accredited university or college. They take pre-medicine classes to qualify for medical school.

The criteria for admission to allopathic and osteopathic medical schools are competitive and virtually identical. Both types of programs consider undergraduate grade point averages and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores.

Likewise, the curriculum in both types of medical schools is similar. The first 12 to 24 months are in the classroom, with clinical training to follow.

After four years of medical school, DOs and MDs must complete a three-year internship and residency program. This is hands-on, clinical training under experienced doctors.

DOs and MDs take the same licensing exams in the state where they intend to practice. They must meet the same standards for practicing medicine.

Both DOs and MDs earn board certification when they pass the requirements of a certifying board in a specialty. The process involves written, practical, and simulator-based tests.

The differences in DO and MD training

The main difference between DO and MD training is that DOs receive 200 or more hours of hands-on manual medicine training. This osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) involves touching and manipulating muscles, bones, and joints. The theory is that with some help, the body can self-regulate and self-heal.

OMT techniques can help improve your balance, circulation, and body alignment. DOs use OMT to treat people with asthma, headaches, repetitive stress injuries, sinus infections, and more. These techniques focus on the motion and texture of body tissues, the flow of fluids, and a person’s musculoskeletal makeup.

Some examples of OMT include:

• Applying gentle pressure or resistance to a body part.
• Palpating someone’s bones, joints, organs, or other body parts through the skin.
• Stretching out or unfolding an arm or leg.

OMT has some similarities to chiropractic care. Both DOs and chiropractors can manipulate joints and muscles in the body to promote health and well-being. Both focus on holistic care.

But DOs aren’t the same as chiropractors. An osteopath attends medical school, while chiropractors attend college and then earn a four-year chiropractic degree. Chiropractors can’t prescribe medications, while DOs can.

How Do MDs and DOs Approach Treatments Differently?

The allopathic (MD) approach to care centers on research-based, scientific treatment methods. The focus is on treating disease and other medical conditions.

The osteopathic (DO) approach is generally more holistic. The focus is on the whole person, not just the illness.

However, in practice, both kinds of doctors can take a holistic or scientific approach — or a mix of both.

What Kind of Medicine Do DOs and MDs Practice?

According to the American Medical Association, nearly 57% of DOs practice some form of primary care. That breaks down to 30% family care doctors, 19% internists, and 7.5% pediatricians.

To compare, only 28% of MDs are in primary care. The breakdown is 11% in family or general practice, 10.4% in internists, and 6.8% in pediatricians. Most MDs specialize in one type of medicine — for example, psychiatry, cardiology, emergency care, and so on.

Although more MDs are specialists, both types of doctors can go into specialized medicine.

DO vs. MD: Which Is Better?

There’s no right answer to which type of doctor is best for you. Many people may not even realize which degree their doctor has.

Both DOs and MDs have extensive knowledge and experience in treating people. Both types of doctors can:

• Diagnose and treat illness.
• Offer advice on disease prevention.
• Perform surgery.
• Prescribe medicine.
• See people with illnesses, injuries, and chronic conditions.

You may pick a doctor based on your personal preference for one type of medicine or the other. Additional factors when choosing a doctor may include convenience, personality, communication skills, and recommendations from friends and family.

Ultimately, the quality of your relationship with your doctor is the most important factor, not whether they’re a DO or MD.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 10, 2025, and was last reviewed on January 12, 2026.