Comparison of Outcomes for Patients Treated by Allopathic vs Osteopathic Surgeons.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

There are 2 degree programs for licensed physicians in the US: allopathic medical doctorate (MD) and osteopathic doctorate (DO). However, evidence is limited as to whether outcomes differ between patients treated by MD vs DO surgeons.

Objective

To evaluate differences in surgical outcomes and practice patterns by surgeon medical school training (MD vs DO).

Design, setting, and participants

This retrospective cohort study used 100% Medicare claims data from inpatient hospitals providing surgical services from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019 among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 to 99 years who underwent 1 of the 14 most common surgical procedures. Data analysis was performed from January 17, 2023, to August 13, 2024.

Exposure

Medi

SUBMITTER: Russell TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11483877 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature