Empathy, Religious Affiliation, and the Growth of Osteopathic Medicine

A key distinction of Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.s) is their recognition of each patient as a whole person rather than just addressing his ailment. This focus previously highlighted physical manipulation over medications; however, the osteopathic profession has evolved significantly over the years. As this field is no longer identified by its original rejection of pharmaceuticals, other original principles of osteopathic medicine have impacted the growth of the field. The data collected from surveyed patients indicated that many osteopathic patients and physicians have religious backgrounds, and there is a widespread emphasis on psychological integration. The increased number of patients is largely due to the increased prevalence of osteopathic physicians, with growth of the field supplemented by good experiences and recommendations