Medicine (MD/DO/DPM)

What is it?: Allopathic medicine refers to the conventional medical practice that focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases with medications, surgery, and other interventions. An MD is trained to focus on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Training: After completing a bachelor's degree, you attend medical school for four years, followed by a residency program (typically 3-7 years depending on the specialty).
Philosophy: The approach is based on the understanding of disease and treatment through scientific research and evidence-based practices.
Rights and Privileges: MDs are fully licensed to practice medicine in all specialties and can prescribe medications, perform surgery, and conduct research.

What is it?: Osteopathic medicine is similar to allopathic medicine but with an added emphasis on the body's musculoskeletal system and how it affects overall health. DOs receive additional training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a hands-on approach to diagnosing, treating, and preventing conditions through physical manipulation of the body.
Training: Like MDs, DOs complete a four-year medical school program followed by residency training. The difference lies in the additional training in OMT.
Philosophy: Osteopathic medicine follows a holistic approach to patient care, considering the body as a whole, with an emphasis on prevention and the self-healing capacity of the body.
Rights and Privileges: DOs are fully licensed to practice medicine in the U.S. They can prescribe medication, perform surgery, and choose any specialty they wish, just like MDs.

What is it?: A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the feet, ankles, and lower extremities. This can include surgery, rehabilitation, and management of diseases that affect the foot and lower leg.
Training: DPMs attend podiatric medical schools, which typically require a bachelor's degree with a focus on sciences. The DPM program lasts four years, followed by a residency program that usually spans 2-4 years. The training is highly specialized in foot and ankle care.
Philosophy: Podiatry is more focused on the mechanics, anatomy, and pathology of the lower extremities. Podiatrists are skilled in a range of techniques, from surgical interventions to conservative treatments like orthotics and physical therapy.
Rights and Privileges: DPMs have the qualifications to perform foot and ankle surgeries, prescribe medications, and provide both conservative and surgical treatments for lower limb conditions. While they cannot practice as general physicians, their specialty is specifically focused on podiatric care.