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I just got an appointment with a new doctor whose specialty is Family Practice. I noticed the absence of an MD after his name and the presence of a DO instead. I did a little bit of googling on the subject, but would really like some input from people who have used doctors with a DO degree. Is this considered "alternative medicine"? Is it homeopathic in nature? Are these doctors really a good as doctors with a traditional MD? I've always liked the idea of going to a doctor who looks at me as a whole person and not just as a collection of body parts, so the idea of a DO is appealing in that regard. On the other hand, I'm a little bit suspicious of "Eastern Medicine," even though I can't really say why -- unfounded prejudices maybe. Anyway, all input would be very much appreciated.
My new dr is a DO also. She seems very nice but I had some concerns about her medical education. I googled the schools she attended and they sounded kind of strange.
I like to use alternative/complementary medicine but I want my pcp to be well grounded in mainstream medicine too.
I'm on my phone, but if I get a chance I 'll post the names of schools and the courses.
My current PCP is a DO. I can't see any difference between her and any MD I've had--they perform the same exams, and prescribe the same treatments. She has admitting privileges at the same local hospital, and she refers me to the same specialists. She tries to wean me off my prescriptions every couple of years, but I've had MDs do the same thing. I don't see any difference.
At this point in time, those with a DO working within the standard allopathic medical establishment are not considered alternative medicine, and a DO is basically interchangeable with an MD degree at this point. My HMO hires both, and the hospital I work at trains both in terms of the medical students we have doing rotations here, as well as hires some DOs on staff.
A DO in an individual practice may have a somewhat different approach and do more of the manipulations osteopathy was historically known for, but if this is a referral through your regular health insurance company, it's very unlikely that would be the case.
I like both and my MD is integrative MD and the D.O. I've seen a D.O. yrs back and he worked on my back and knew a lot about medical issues, he's the one that got my thyroid supported when so many allopathic MD's failed me for 10 yrs.
Most in the older days worked with manipulation and medicine, not so much today as they come out of Osteopathic schools. The D.O.'s that are worth so much in our town today, don't accept insurance.
During my search to get thyroid help, two other DO's were so off base. One had me swallow a glass of water and said "your thyroid is fine"... and the other one, she was pretty worthless. Then the 2 allopathic MD's didn't help me at all as they lived by the numbers of labs.
I think and this is true for me, I work so much to be my own doctor and keep myself healthy and don't want hit with a bunch of pharma drugs.
I like to use alternative/complementary medicine but I want my pcp to be well grounded in mainstream medicine too.
This is what I think I'm looking for -- someone well-grounded in mainstream medicine, who isn't going to refuse to prescribe the two medications I really need in favor of some weird herbal preparations, but who isn't going to diagnose and treat me based solely on test results and numbers either.
I can't help but think of the four chiropractors I've been to over the years. Two of them were really good and really helped me. One of the other two, though, clearly believed chiropractic to be able to cure cancer and every other ailment known to man, and the last one would shout, "Thank you, Jesus!" every time he did an adjustment on me that he felt was successful. If I'd only seen the last two I described, I'd be convinced that chiropractic medicine was pure quackery, but because of the other two, I'm convinced that it can be very helpful.
The one thing that I see as a possible plus about the doctor I have the appointment with is that he is in a practice with both DOs and MDs. Might that be a good sign?
It sounds like a good mixture to me. I was just reading that most pcp are DOs. Mine is mixed in with MDs too.
I think their philosophy may be different in that they treat the whole person. I was looking at the education of my new DO and there's no Harvard or Tufts. There's Rhode Island College and then residenies and the DO from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Thyroid question...jaminhealth...did your DO help you by using iodine? Or was it pills. I had an excellent dr tell me that I need iodine and selenium. Now what I need is a dr who will show me how to do this. It would be great if this new DO knows about such thing. At least I think she'll be open to it.
It sounds like a good mixture to me. I was just reading that most pcp are DOs. Mine is mixed in with MDs too.
I think their philosophy may be different in that they treat the whole person. I was looking at the education of my new DO and there's no Harvard or Tufts. There's Rhode Island College and then residenies and the DO from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Thyroid question...jaminhealth...did your DO help you by using iodine? Or was it pills. I had an excellent dr tell me that I need iodine and selenium. Now what I need is a dr who will show me how to do this. It would be great if this new DO knows about such thing. At least I think she'll be open to it.
No, my old D.O. got me on Armour but I learned about iodine from thyroid group and iodine yahoo groups I've been a member way back. Iodine is important for all body tissues and includes breast tissues and I believe it keeps me comfortable about breast cancer issue and I've not done mamms in decades.
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