The DOs: Osteopathic Medicine in America

by Norman Gevitz

Overcoming suspicion, ridicule, and outright opposition from the American Medical Association, the osteopathic medical profession today serves the health needs of more than thirty million Americans. The DOs chronicles the development of this controversial medical movement from the nineteenth century to the present. Historian Norman Gevitz describes the philosophy and practice of osteopathy, as well as its impact on medical care. From the theories underlying the use of spinal manipulation developed by osteopathy's founder, Andrew Taylor Still, Gevitz traces the movement's early success, despite attacks from the orthodox medical community, and details the internal struggles to broaden osteopathy's scope to include the full range of pharmaceuticals and surgery. He also recounts the efforts of osteopathic colleges to achieve parity with institutions granting M.D. degrees and looks at the continuing effort by osteopathic physicians and surgeons to achieve greater recognition and visibility. In print continuously since 1982, The DOs has now been thoroughly updated and expanded to include two new chapters addressing recent and current challenges and to bring the history of the profession up to the beginning of the new millennium.

Genres: Nonfiction, Medicine, Medical, History, Health

242 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1982

Reviews

[Rhina Luu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very informative. It gave a well rounded view on the history and evolution of osteopathic medicine. I found myself often agree with a lot of their philosophical views; it's ashamed that this field of medicine doesn't get the recognition it deserved.

I think some people will it a bit dry, but honestly, I love the author sense of humor (the little bit that he put in there). For example, I really enjoy the tiny part about the history of Chiropractor. That part of the book really caught me off guard.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best resource I have found on the subject.

[Eva Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent historical text about osteopathic medicine in the USA. This was my introduction to osteopathy when I was in college which then led to my career as a DO (Doctor of Osteopathy). I continue to recommend this book to students searching for their own future.

[Fallon Jung · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was a little dry, but informative. Seeing as the “Present and Future” chapter ends in the 80s, I’d like to find more information about where osteopathy has gone since then. Overall, an interesting account.. although lots of little grammatical errors, which drove me up the wall!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read on the history of osteopathic medicine in the United States. Given the fact that it has been 19 years since this book was first published it is a little bit dated, and it could probably use an updated edition.

[Luis Cardentey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick history of the profession.

[Mark Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boring at times, but overall great resource for information about the history, philosophy, and current state of the profession.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of profession and good consideration of what future might be…

[AGC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norman Gevitz gives an in-depth brief history of Osteopathic Medicine in the U.S. in this book. It is a history of the struggles of osteopathic medicine -- struggles to grow, struggles to become known, and struggles to remain distinct from their MD counterparts. He touches upon it's inception and the background of how and why it came about. He then goes into a lot of history in chronological order of the growth of the DO schools and different programs, the politics between DO's and MD's and the government, and it's current and future state. He briskly mentions the key tenets of osteopathic medicine, but through the confrontation with the MD's organization, the AMA, we could understand where the DO's are different from MD's, or the lack thereof.

It's quite detailed, so be prepared. However, it is a very good history lesson for the lesser known side of the U.S. healthcare system.

[Mattymatt184 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intense detailed book that is not a easy read. However, for anyone that is wanting to become a physician and is unfamiliar with the philosophyh, history and differences and animosity of Osteopatic Medicine versus Allopathic Medicine (D.O. Or M.D.) respectively. This is an essential read. Also, a good one for people that do not understand what a DO is or is having difficultly deciding on a physician. Slow, detailed, and at times boring , it is essential for those that are intetested tounderstand the the history of medicine, what Osteopathy is, This book is for you. I have an extra copy brand new that I will give to anyone interested.

[Jenish Tailor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very informative and tells you how DO school came to life, where the population thought that the only kind of doctor's exist are MDs. It gives full history on DO school, practice, treatment and medicine. It give information on how DOs are different than MDs and how it can be alternative care option. I personally like the idea of muscle manipulation to treat patients rather than just prescribing pain medications.

[kyle]

Useful, quick read that does just what it sets out to do: tell the story of osteopathic medicine in America from its birth to the turn of the twenty-first century. I particularly appreciated the early chapters which put Still in a wider cultural perspective. I also loved reading about both why Still was so opposed to pharmaceuticals and how this changed in later generations.

[Elias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gave a very enjoyable account of the history of the D.O. profession. I happened to read this about a year before I began studying at an osteopathic medical school. This gave me a good baseline amount of knowledge of the profession's history, and also made me even more curious and enthusiastic to learn osteopathic medicine (I am a 2nd-year student at the time of writing this review).

[Katie Brunner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very in-depth look at the history of osteopathic medicine in the United States. It is on the textbook side of reading, but a worthwhile read nontheless.

[Lucy Chronicles · Rating 5 out of 5]

MANDATORY reading for anyone who: sees a D.O., Chiropractor, believes in 'alternative' healthcare or is contemplating medical school at all particularly those leaning M.D.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good background history on the birth and expansion of osteopathy in the United States. Suggested reading for anyone looking into this field of medicine.

[Andrew Beckett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent overview and understanding of how the Osteopathic Physician came to be. Somewhat slow and (to me) irrelevant data at times; but otherwise very helpful.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great history. Gevitz goes into just the right amount of detail to explain his subject matter, does so with a touch of humor, and, in this second edition, updates his history to bring it up to present times, providing a current understanding of where the profession stands. Highly recommended.