What is the difference between OD and MD?

OD stands for Doctor of Osteopathy. On the other hand, MD means Doctor of medicine. Both are legally accepted professional titles, and they share separate but equal accolades within the medical community. OD’s and MD’s have a lot in common, like the four years necessary for medical schooling, the same length of the internship, and similar medical exams to obtain their license to practice medicine.

Doctors of osteopathy take their post-graduate studies in special schools for osteopathic medicine, as medical doctors attend a college or participate in the school of medicine. Those who attend osteopathy schools are educated in medicine to see the whole person, not just the symptoms and illnesses. Among OD’s, there is a hesitancy to look at the bigger picture. They generally know the person’s lifestyle and symptoms of illness.