Medicine is a huge field with various specialties and skill sets. This means that when people decide to become a doctor, there are a lot of options to consider when deciding which type of medicine they want to practice. Not only that, but they also have to consider the type of degree to obtain.
Two types of doctors you may encounter at a future checkup are DOs or MDs. While they are similar in most ways, there are some key differences between the two types of doctors. Here’s a breakdown of both certifications and what makes each of them unique.
What Is an MD?
If your doctor is an MD, that means they are a doctor of medicine (MD). They are allopathic doctors that practice medicine in traditional ways you may already be familiar with. WebMD says they treat and diagnose medicine with tools such as X-rays, prescription drugs, surgery, and other methods.
Allopathic medicine has also been referred to as conventional or mainstream medicine. They can become primary care doctors, specialize in family medicine, or choose another type of specialties such as surgery or pediatrics.