SPECIAL NOTICE: Recent Medicare legislation & its impact on e-prescribing
Setting a Standard
Osteopathic Medicine is the epitome of care. It combines all the science of today's medical technology and understanding with a hands-on approach taught during Osteopathic training. Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs) are involved in all the medical and surgical specialties such as cardiology, gastroenterology and general surgery. The overall majority of DOs become primary care physicians such as family practitioners, pediatricians and internal medicine physicians. Primary care physicians do physicals, health and sick care for children and care for the vast majority of medical problems for patients of all ages. They order tests or refer their patients to a specialist, if needed.
All DOs are trained in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM), which involves touching or palpating the patient's muscle, skin and bones to help make a diagnosis. Specific OMM techniques can then be used to correct the abnormalities. There are OMM specialists, but all D.O.s are trained in OMM allowing them to gather additional information to better diagnose and treat their patients. So, in this age of medical technology, DOs are well-trained in using the latest technologies, but can also use the personal aspect of touch in a diagnostic and therapeutic way. The American Osteopathic Association puts it this way: “D.O.s: Physicians treating patients, not just symptoms."
Fortunately, in Rhode Island, there is a significant group of osteopathic physicians. RISOPS is the organization that represents and is committed to these physicians and their patients. Educational conferences, such as the Yankee Conference, and monthly meetings are scheduled to keep these DOs up to date on the latest developments in medicine. This website, sponsored by RISOPS, provides a way for people to find a DO. RISOPS works to make sure your physician is reimbursed appropriately by the insurance companies so they have time to spend with you, their patients. RISOPS is working to keep malpractice insurance in line by having a fair legal system in this state. We don't want DOs, or any physician in this state, to be driven out of Rhode Island because of excessive malpractice expenses. RISOPS's mission is to offer our physicians the opportunity to best care for their patients.