A medical degree conferred by osteopathic medical schools in the United States, the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program emphasizes a holistic approach to patient care. The curriculum includes both biomedical and clinical sciences, with an additional focus on osteopathic manipulative techniques.
Training and Education
DO-granting medical schools offer a four-year program that includes two years of biomedical and clinical sciences followed by two years of core clinical training.
- Additional focus: DOs spend 300-500 hours studying osteopathic manipulative techniques, which involve hands-on manipulation of the musculoskeletal system.
Comparison with MD
The curricula at DO-granting medical schools are equivalent to those at MD-granting medical schools, with the notable difference being the additional focus on osteopathic manipulative techniques.
Statistics
As of 2026, nearly 30% of all U.S. medical students are earning a DO degree, and over 11% of all practicing U.S. physicians hold the DO degree. The 44 osteopathic medical schools in the United States operate at 71 teaching locations across 36 states.