What Does D.O. Mean Doctor?

Pronunciation

/ˈdɑːktər/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Phrase

Definition

A question asking about the meaning of the abbreviation “D.O.”, often referring to a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, a medical professional with a specialty in osteopathic manipulative treatment.

Examples

• The patient asked, “What does d.o. mean, doctor?” during the consultation.
• After graduating from medical school, she became a licensed D.O.

Synonyms

• Osteopathic physician
• Doctor of osteopathic medicine

Antonyms

• Medical student
• Non-medical professional

Additional Information

D.O.s receive similar training to M.D.s, but with a focus on osteopathic manipulative treatment. They can practice in various medical specialties, including family medicine, internal medicine, and surgery. In the United States, D.O.s are fully qualified physicians who can prescribe medication, perform surgery, and provide medical care to patients.

The term “D.O.” is often confused with other medical abbreviations, such as “DO” for “Doctor of Optometry” or “DO” for “Doctor of Osteopathy.” However, the former refers to an eye care professional, and the latter is an outdated term for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

Etymology

The abbreviation “D.O.” originated in the late 19th century, derived from the Latin phrase “Doctor of Osteopathy.”

Usage Notes

When using the phrase “What does d.o. mean, doctor?”, it’s essential to consider the context in which it’s being used. In medical settings, the phrase is often used to clarify the meaning of the abbreviation. However, in non-medical contexts, it may be used in a more casual or humorous manner.

Cultural References

The phrase “What does d.o. mean, doctor?” has been used in various TV shows and films, often as a comedic device or to highlight a character’s lack of medical knowledge.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “What does d.o. mean, doctor?” (asking about the meaning of the abbreviation)
• “I’m a D.O., not an M.D.” (emphasizing the difference between osteopathic and allopathic medicine)

Related Words or Phrases

• Osteopathic manipulative treatment
• Allopathic medicine
• Medical specialties

Collocations

• Medical doctor
• Osteopathic physician
• Medical degree

Frequency of Use

The phrase “What does d.o. mean, doctor?” is relatively uncommon in everyday conversation, but it may be used more frequently in medical settings or online forums.

Common Misspellings

• “What does do mean, doctor?”
• “What dose d.o. mean, doctor?”