A DO as a primary

[Guest guest]

Anyone out there ever had a DO as a primary?

On the surface I like the idea of this approach esp. since all the heavy lifting

has been done where Conn's is concerened.

Now it is just monitoring.

My codes are.

585.3 Chronic kidney disease, Stage III (moderate)

425.4 Other primary cardiomyopathies, Cardiomyopathy: NOS, congestive,

constrictive, familial, hypertrophic, idiopathic, nonobstructive, obstructive,

restrictive, Cardiovascular collagenosis

255.8 Other specified disorders of adrenal glands, Abnormality of

cortisol-binding globulin

250.0 Diabetes mellitus without mention of complication or manifestation

classifiable to 250.1-250.9

A doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) is a physician with training that differs

slightly from that of a physician with an M.D. The DO is equally educated with

four years of undergraduate training, four years of medical schools, and

additional years if the DO chooses to specialize. However, the DO has a slightly

different approach to treating the patient than the MD.

The DO is trained to evaluate the person in a holistic way. The goal of the DO

is not simply to treat problems as they arise, but as well to prevent problems

by evaluating the total health and health risks of the person. This evaluation

may include not only looking at quantifiable risk factors for disease but also

evaluation of the person in terms of their home life, their stress level and

their work life. As well, disease is evaluated in terms of how it affects the

entire body, not simply a few parts of the body.

Additionally, the DO is trained specifically in understanding the muscular and

skeletal system and how this may relate to disease or pain management. Sometimes

a DO will practice manipulation of the spine, similar to the work done by

chiropractors, in addition to other more traditional medical treatments.

A DO may practice any field of medicine: psychiatry, surgery, pediatrics, or

obstetrics, for example. However, most train to become general practitioners.

The DO will also pass examinations that are almost identical to those taken by

an MD, so their ability to practice medicine competently is equal to that of the

MD.

Some argue that the holistic approach of the DO is better since it tends to mean

the doctor takes more time with patients and may have a slightly improved

bedside manner. However, most doctors trained in either field vary greatly in

their ability to listen and to be watchful over a patient's total health.