Internal Medicine Board CertifiedInternal Medicine Doctors are medical doctors or doctors of osteopathic medicine who received special training in the prevention and treatment of diseases in adults. All Internal Medicine Doctors must be licensed by the medical board of the state in which they practice, but becoming board certified is optional. To become Board Cetified a physician must first become eligible and then must pass a test in order to obtain their certification. Both the American College of Osteopathic Internists and the American Board of Internal Medicine offer certification programs. The certification is given to internists who have demonstrated that they have the skills, attitudes and clinical judgment essential for the delivery of exceptional patient care. Academic AppointmentsColumbia University, Clinical Instructor Department of Medicine University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine New York College of Osteopathic Medicine What is D.O.Osteopathic medicine is practiced by D.O.s in the United States. Osteopathic medicine was developed in 1874 by Dr. A.T. Still who stated "Any variation from health has a cause, and the cause has a location. It is the business of the osteopathic physician to locate and remove it, doing away with the disease and getting healthy instead." He believed that many medications (at that time) were useless and even harmful. He identified the musculoskeletal system as a key component for good health. Both D.O.s and M.D.s typically have a four year undergraduate degree prior to medical training. Both D.O.s and M.D.s have spent four-years in medical education. Both take the MCAT and are subject to a rigorous application process. D.O.s, like M.D.s, choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine and complete a residency program ranging from 3-7 years. Some D.O.s complete the same residency programs as their M.D. counterparts. Both must pass a state licensing examination to practice medicine. D.O.s perform surgery, deliver children, treat patients, prescribe medications and work in the same settings as M.D.s. D.O.s use the same tools, treatments and technologies of medicine as M.D.s. D.O.s recieve extra training in the musculoskeletal system, which make up the nerves, muscles and bones of a person. The main difference between the two types of physicians is that D.O.s have been specially trained to perform osteopthic manipulations on patients. They view the patient as a 'total person" and focus on preventative care. They view the whole body rather than treat specific symptoms or illness. |
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