Osteopathic physicians (D.O.'s) attend unique medical schools; in addition to the traditional four year comprehensive medical education, there is an additional emphasis on disease prevention and treatment of the total person, rather than their disease alone.

D.O.'s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, which is comprised of the nerves, muscles, and bones.

This training gives them a better understanding of how an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect another part of the body; therefore, D.O.'s have a therapeutic and diagnostic advantage.

Other than that, there are few differences.