Neurosurgery Roseburg
Lawrence P. Maccree D.O.
What is an Osteopathic Physician -- D.O. ?
A doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) is a fully trained and licenced physician who prescribes medications, performs surgery, and utilizes all medically accepted methods to maintain and restore your health. Today's D.O. provides comprehensive medical care, including preventitive medicine, diagnosis, appropriate use of drugs, surgery, manipulative procedures, and hospital care. And that care is provided with the D.O. Advantage: an emphasis on the human body as one complete system that performs best when all of the body's components function together harmoniously.
How do D.O. Surgeons Care for Their Patients?
Problems in one part of your body may cause problems in another area. Although your D.O. surgeon's primary emphasis is on surgical care and treatment, he or she has been taught how to consider your injury or illness not by itself, but in relation to its effect on the rest of your body.
What Kind of Surgical Training do D.O.s Receive?
Early in training the D.O. surgeon learns to treat the complete patient. He or she works closely with your primary care physician to consider all your medical needs. This approach to understanding the needs of the patient doesn't just happen. An osteopathis physician has attened an undergraduate college or university and has successfully completed four years of osteopathic medical education before receiving the Doctor of Osteopathy degree. Colleges of osteopathic medicine are accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic Association (AOA), which is recognized for that purpose by the U.S. Department of Education.
But your osteopathic surgeon's education doesn't stop there. Following four years of osteopathic medical school, the D.O. physician must complete one year of post-graduate rotations (including experience in general internal medicine, ICU, emergency medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and elective rotations in surgical sub-specialties, anesthesia and radiology), and then another four to six years of specialized training to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become your surgeon. There are licensed D.O. surgeons trained in all specialties of surgery including general, general vascular, neurological, gynecological, orthopedic, plastic and reconstructive, urological, cardiothoracic,ENT (ears, nose, and throat), and ophtalmological. Some D.O. surgeons may pursue even further subspecialty training.
Does my Surgeon Keep up to Date With New Advances in Surgery?
Yes! Professional education for the D.O. is a lifelong process to remain professionally informed in a field that is constantly advancing in care and treatment. The American College of Osteopathic Surgeons requires its members in active practice to complete at least 120 credit hours of approved continuing surgical education every three years.