Not All Doctors Are Created Equal

While the feature “It’s a Control Thing” (Aug. 30) contains some valuable information about talking to your doctor, the descriptions of different kinds of doctors are incorrect.

A doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) is a fully licensed physician who prescribes drugs, performs surgery and has the same privileges and responsibilities as a medical doctor (M.D.). Osteopathic schools have curricula similar to medical schools but with more emphasis on the musculo-skeletal system and spinal manipulation.

A chiropractic doctor, on the other hand, receives less training and consequently has a more limited license involving physical manipulation and adjustment of the spine. Most states do not allow chiropractors to prescribe drugs or perform surgery.

An allopath is not an alternative practitioner. Allopathy , in fact, is a broad term that means conventional medicine. A naturopath, however, is an alternative practitioner who believes disease is caused by the accumulation of toxins and waste products in the body. Naturopaths are not licensed in California.

Finally, the headline of the article is disturbing because it implies that doctors don’t want their patients to ask questions.

Not true!

Good medicine is based on mutual trust where both the doctor and the patient feel free to communicate about very personal matters. When this communication fails, the patient and the doctor both lose.

ROBERT M. KARNS, M.D.

president, Los Angeles County Medical Assn.