An article in the Portland Oregonian says that Arizona schools will soon be graduating more doctors of osteopathy than medical doctors. There will be twice as many DOs graduating in 2012 than MDs. That gap could increase if the University of Arizona is unable to expand its medical school in Phoenix.
Midwestern University in Glendale graduated its first DO class in 2000. A.T. Still University in Mesa will graduate its first DO class in 2011. Their expected total of 350 in 2012 is expected to ease a growing doctor shortage. Arizona has one of the worst ratios of primary care doctors per resident.
Like MDs, DOs are licensed to diagnose illness, perform surgery and prescribe medicine. DOs say their emphasis is on a more holistic view of medicine and that they believe in the body’s ability to heal itself. Their education also includes instruction in osteopathic manipulative treatment.
The number of osteopathic doctors has increased 67% nationwide since 1990.
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