Like the MD (Medical Doctor) or "allopathic" branch of medicine, as it is sometimes known, osteopathic physicians, or DOs have the same kind of training, go to medical school for the same number of years, and can practice medicine in all of its specialties in all 50 states. What's more, although most DOs are in primary care -that is they are the first physicians that the patient is likely to come into contact with (pediatricians, internists, family practitioners and obstetricians) - they often go on to further training as specialists and can be certified in any of the various medical specialties, the same as Mds. DOs can admit patients to hospitals, prescribe medications, or any of the various medical treatments such as physical or occupational therapy, and deliver babies. In other words, they are full-fledged physicians in every sense of the word.