"In a thoughtful commentary, Delengocky offered three reasons why osteopathic medicine should remain parallel to but distinct from allopathic medicine.
First, there is the widespread and growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the United States. For a number of reasons, osteopathic medicine is an alternative to the reductionist biological tradition of allopathic medicine. Osteopathic medicine places great emphasis on the fact that the body is a self-regulating unit in which structure and function are reciprocally interrelated, providing a basis for a rational, holistic therapy.
Second, he argued that because of the prevalence, the morbidity, and the huge cost of musculoskeletal disorders, there is a place for a form of medicine that sees a need to manage these debilitating conditions as more than “simply pains.”
Third, he saw a political advantage in medicine having two “separate but equal” traditions to counter the aggressive push by nonmedical professions for equal rights (eg, laboratory investigation, prescribing, procedures) with physicians within their narrowly defined areas. Medicine must see the patient as a whole, must advance by rational scientific research and must be distinct from the paramedical professions, which seek to advance themselves by legislative advantage. Medicine is strengthened, not weakened, by having the two traditions of allopathic reductionist biology and osteopathic holism."
DO profession has achieved the parity with MD profession through its educational and training evolution, which mirror the vigorous undergraduate medical educational curriculum and graduate medical education standards while still maintaining the holistic philosophy of osteopathic medicine. DOs are not only equal to MDs under the law, but also equal to MDs in practice. ACGME accepts DOs for their residencies and fellowships because ACGME recognizes the standards of osteopathic undergraduate and graduate medical education. Allopathic specialty medical societies open doors to DO physicians for full membership. The composition of physician work force is such 7% are DOs, 25% are IMG-MDs, and 68% are US-trained MDs. This diverse background is important to the healthcare delivery as long as the standard of care is upheld.
For example, ophthalmologists have continuously been facing aggressive legislative action from optometric community to gain surgical privileges at state legislatures for the past 14 years. Last week, Kentucky became a second state that allows optometrists to perform eye surgeries. Psychologists have obtained prescription privileges in 2 states. Clinical pharmacists have obtained institutional prescription privileges. Doctors of Nurse Practice are pushing to replace primary physicians. CRNAs have obtained independence from anesthesiologists in California. Physician Assistants are acting as primary care providers in the retail clinic.
Now, Texas Optometric community is pushing a Legislation (SB 1056) that would authorize optometrists to perform a broad range of surgical procedures and prescribe any medication by any route of administration except Schedule I and II has been introduced in the Texas state legislature. The bill specifically authorizes:
- YAG capsulotomies
- Unfettered treatment of glaucoma, including lasers
- Lid surgery
- Use of cautery
- Injections except into the globe of the eye
Moreover, the bill authorizes the Texas Optometry Board to expand the list of so-called “noninvasive procedures” that optometrists may perform. The bill also authorizes optometry school faculty to perform and teach any procedure that is performed by a licensee in any other state. The Academy is working with the Texas Ophthalmological Association to halt this threat to patient safety.
Time has come for DOs and MDs to join their efforts together to put the patient’s safety first instead of fighting about the degree title and the prestige of the title. DOs and MDs are physicians, period! Time to end the discrimination against each other! By the way, where is the collective bargaining right for physicians?
No comments:
Post a Comment