Question:
Why are some doctors listed in the database as MD 's when the are really OD's??

Why are some of the doctors listed in the database listed as MD's when they are really OD's????    — Robin W. (posted on October 4, 2003)

October 4, 2003
An OD is an MD but they have more training in certain areas than an MD. I can assure you that an OD just as capable as an MD and does have a license to practice medicine. Hope this helps.
   — Shannon B.

October 4, 2003
Hi, I think you mean D.O. instead of O.D.; an O.D. is a doctor of optometry, or an eye doctor. A D.O. is a doctor of osteopathy and have all the same qualifications as an M.D., can perform surgeries, etc. IMHO, D.O.'s try to get at the root of a person's problems, rather than just treating the symptoms.
   — Moysa B.

October 4, 2003
Without getting into the MD versus DO debate, the reason they are listed incorrectly on the website is probably just a technical limitation - whomever entered the information just didn't know the doctor was actually a DO - or maybe the program running the site didn't allow them to show a difference. I'm sure its not malicious, just a human mistake.
   — bethybb

October 8, 2003
Do and MD's actualy have differnt training. Both are quite well qualified. As someone said earlier they nay have differing approaches. Do ' s are taught osteopathy- a type of spinal manipulation. I work with DO and MD docs in a hospital setting. Few (young) DO docs do the Manipulations they studied in school. Occasionally there are older doc who do. (this as all generalizations may vary from place to place) Honestly I can not tell ANY difference in practice between DO and MD docs. I honestly would not Know the difference other than how they sign their title after their name.
   — **willow**