If you’re booking a doctor’s appointment, pause and look closely. Notice the letters “DO” instead of “MD”? You’re not alone. Over the last decade, osteopathic physicians (DOs) have surged by 70%, making up more than a quarter of all medical students. Even though they’ve treated presidents, worked at NASA, and run emergency rooms, people still ask: “Are DOs real doctors?” (They absolutely are.)
Dos used to be viewed as the “RC Cola” of medicine, but times are changing. DOs are filling crucial gaps in healthcare, especially in rural areas, amid a looming doctor shortage. Your next appointment might be part of a quiet medical revolution. Next time you’re at the doctor’s, check the initials.
