Not quite accurate.
Osteopaths have traditionally regarded themselves as somewhat more holistic practioners than their “allopathic” (MD) counterparts. In terms of actual differences in curriculum, osteopaths learn things about spinal manipulation that are outside the realm of allopathic medicine. Otherwise, the actual learning experience is fairly similar. The degree to which manipulation is emphasized varies from school to school and seems to have declined over the past several decades.
Differences:
Osteopaths can pursue osteopathic residency programs (I believe there are 60 or so…these are not open to allopathic students). The mjority of DO grads do not attend these programs.
Based on the MCAT and GPA scores of matriculated applicants, allopathic schools are frequently regarded as more rigorous. Although DO grads are theoretically open for admission to any allopathic residency in the US, there are programs in certain highly competitive specialties (particularly derm, ophtho, ortho, surgical subspecialties such as urology, neurosurgery, and plastics, and to a slightly lesser extent radiology and general surgery) that tend to be difficult for DOs to enter. DO grads with their hearts set on one of these fields often have to enter one of the limited number of osteopathic residency positions.
In general, osteopathic education tends to emphasize primary care, although there are osteopathic graduates in every conceivable field of medicine.
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