There are similarities in basic educational requirements for a medical physician and a chiropractic physician. However, methods of treatment for illness and injury vary significantly. A chiropractic physician (DC) incorporates alternative therapies into their treatments, such as nutritional and fitness education, acupuncture, stress management and herbal remedies. A medical doctor (MD) focuses more on medicine for treatment.
Basic educational requirements
Although the basic educational requirements for both chiropractic and medical students are similar, each set of curricula includes a specific focus on various specialties. For example, chiropractic studies include more emphasis on diagnostics, x-ray interpretation and orthopedics, while a medical student will be required to spend more hours in pathology and psychology/psychiatry.
Pharmacology
Chiropractors are trained in neither pharmacology nor in invasive surgical treatments. For a medical doctor, pharmacology is a significant part of their studies and their practice.
Similar classroom requirements
Both are almost equal in the requirements for studying physiology, microbiology, biochemistry and neurology. The overall total number of hours in classroom instruction is about the same for each student.
Board exams
Continuing education requirements for medical doctors and chiropractors are also comparable. A chiropractor is required to pass four levels of national board exams, along with a physical therapy exam in order to meet eligibility requirements for state board exams.
Licensing and continuing education
After graduation, both the DC and MD may continue their education through postgraduate training to become board certified in various specialties, although board certification is not a requirement for either type of physician in order to become licensed and to practice. Chiropractic physicians, however, are required to obtain continuing education credits each year in order to renew their license.
Tags: educational requirements, basic educational, chiropractic physician, continuing education, medical doctor