Medicine (MD/DO/MD-PhD)
Medicine is a broad, inclusive profession with many different career paths and practice settings.
Ideally, physicians strive to develop both strong professional values and solid clinical skills. Common expectations include being:
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Altruistic and compassionate in caring for patients and their families.
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Honest and trustworthy in all professional relationships.
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Well grounded in the scientific basis of medicine and the normal and abnormal functioning of the human body.
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Effective communicators who can explain information clearly and provide patient-centered care.
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Responsible members of the health care team who work with others to promote the health of individual patients and communities.
(source: Medical School Admissions Requirements publication)
Osteopathic physicians (DOs) complete medical training that is comparable to allopathic (MD) physicians, including basic sciences and clinical rotations. In addition, they receive roughly 200 extra hours of training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM), a hands-on approach used to help diagnose and treat illness and injury.
DO programs emphasize a “whole person” approach, focusing on wellness, prevention, and the impact of lifestyle and environment on health. Some osteopathic medical schools also offer dual degrees, such as DO/PhD and other combined programs.
- Learn more about OMM: Osteopathic Manual Medicine Explained.
- Explore DO dual degree programs: Learn more about the programs here.
(source: Become an Osteopathic Physician)
MD-PhD programs train physicians who are also researchers, often called “physician-scientists.” Graduates typically spend a large portion of their careers doing research, while also caring for patients and helping bring discoveries from the laboratory (“bench”) to clinical practice (“bedside”).
MD-PhD training is designed to integrate medical education with rigorous scientific research. Many programs provide tuition support and a living stipend, though the amount and eligibility (for example, U.S. citizens or permanent residents only) differs by institution.
- MD-PhD training efficiently integrates the scientific and medical education of the physician-scientist.
- Most MD-PhD programs provide trainees a stipend and tuition scholarships. The extent of financial support varies among programs and may only support U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
(source: AAMC MD-PhD website)
Most MD, DO, and MD-PhD programs in the U.S. and Canada expect applicants to complete foundational coursework in the sciences. Common areas include biology, chemistry, physics, and math or statistics. However, specific course requirements vary, so it is essential to review each school’s website or admissions materials carefully.
📝 All accredited U.S. and Canadian medical schools require an entrance exam, typically the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The MCAT assesses problem solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social sciences that are considered prerequisites for the study of medicine.
