Revisiting Charles Sophy's medical degree

Back on June 22, 2007, I wrote a post on Charles Sophy that noted, among other things, that Sophy is a D.O. and not an M.D. This was taken from a Radar Online post:

Sophy has been mistakenly referred to as an M.D. (specifically by Men's Health). He's a D.O., a doctor of osteopathy, a slightly different classification, though D.O. schooling and training mirrors that of M.D.s. Osteopaths focus on alternative treatments, prevention, and patients' total wellness rather than specific symptoms. And osteopathic psychiatrists make up about 10 percent of the American Psychiatric Association, of which Sophy has been a member for more than a decade.

My post just prompted the following comment:

Anonymous said...

You might want to do your research a little more responsibly and profesionally. Dr. Sophy is the Medical Director of Los Angeles County D.C.S.F. (Dept. of Children and Family Services) He is most certainly an M.D. I know; he was my son's psychiatrist at the L.A. County D.M.H. (Dept. of Mental Health) for two years.

Your ramblings are absolutely pathetic.
06 February, 2009 01:05

So, what does Interactive Dad Magazine say about Sophy's degree? Nothing. Here's the relevant portion:

His professional training includes medical residencies in family practice at Metropolitian Hospital (Philadelphia), and adult psychiatry at Norristown State Hospital, and a fellowship in child/adolescent psychiatry Hahneuman University Hospital ( Philadelphia), as well as, other massive government-run psychiatric institutions around Philadelphia.

And HealthGrades has a listing for Dr. Charles J. Sophy, MD, but with this interesting wrinkle:

Medical School, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Med

Now perhaps I should be...um...professional and specifically investigate how many MD degrees the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Med grants, but there are better ways to spend one's time.

But does it make any difference? Here's what [CORRECTED 2/19] the American Osteopathic Association says:

DO's and MD's are alike in many ways:

* Applicants to both DO. and M.D. colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on science courses.

* Both DO's and MD's complete four years of basic medical education.

* After medical school, both DO's and MD's can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine such as psychiatry, surgery, or obstetrics. They both complete a residency program, which takes typically two to six years of additional training.

* Both DO's and MD's must pass comparable state licensing examinations.

* DO's and MD's both practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers.

* DO's comprise a separate, yet equal branch of American medical care. Together DO's and MD's enhance the state of health care available in America.

* However, it's the ways that DO's and MD's are different that can bring an extra dimension to your family's health care.

DO's bring something extra to medicine:

* Osteopathic schools emphasize training students to be primary care physicians.

* DO's practice a "whole person" approach to medicine. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, they regard your body as an integrated whole.

* Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive healthcare.

* DO's receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system - your body's interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of its body mass. This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of the ways that an injury or illness in one part of your body can affect another. It gives DO's a therapeutic and diagnostic advantage over those who do not receive additional specialized training.

* Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is incorporated in the training and practice of osteopathic physicians. OMT allows physicians to use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage your body's natural tendency toward good health. By combining all other medical procedures with OMT, DO's offer their patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today.

Of course, these are only my pathetic ramblings. What are your thoughts?

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