The DOs: Osteopathic Medicine in America [Paperback]

Norman Gevitz (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An outstanding second edition,... bringing his history into the present and giving the reader a remarkably insightful understanding of osteopathic medicine and the challenges it faces today... A superbly written book, well researched, thoughtful, and enjoyable to read. Gevtiz has made an important contribution to the canon of medical literature" -- JAMA

Review

"Lucid, thorough, and judicious... Gevitz has produced an excellent study." -- Bulletin of the History of Medicine, reviewing a previous edition or volume

"The best historical study of the subject to date." -- American Scientist, reviewing a previous edition or volume

"Gevitz provides what may well be the definitive study." -- Journal of the American Medical Association, reviewing a previous edition or volume

"A refreshing and balanced view of the osteopathic profession." -- Osteopathic Annals, reviewing a previous edition or volume

"The most meticulous and careful study of the profession ever written by an outsider, and it is very useful." -- The DO, reviewing a previous edition or volume

"Entertaining, thoughtful, and interesting to read... Gevitz's history reminds us once again of the many factors that influence the division of labor in health care. For the illumination it provides on these matters, this well-written account should take its place as a major sourcebook on a small but important occupation." -- Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, reviewing a previous edition or volume

"Gevitz has written an invaluable brief history of osteopathic medicine... An indispensable book that will be useful to any scholar in the field." -- Charles E. Rosenberg, Isis, reviewing a previous edition or volume

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 2nd edition (March 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801878349
• ISBN-13: 978-0801878343
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #105,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

  #18 in	Books > Science > Medicine > Internal Medicine > Osteopathy
  #66 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Medical > Administration & Medicine Economics > Health Policy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A history of America's best-kept secret, July 26, 2005

By	Che Junior - See all my reviews

This review is from: The DOs: Osteopathic Medicine in America (Paperback)

With a limited understanding of osteopathic medicine's roots, I set on a crash course to find an osteopathic medical history book similar to what a Kenneth Ludmerer's "Time to Heal" did for the history of medicine itself. And with Norman Gevitz's book, I was surely not disappointed. One would think that as a book recommended by the AOA and written by a osteopathic medical school professor, the book would be slanted. However, Gevitz does a great job at maintaining neutrality as a historian while demonstrating a certain degree of candidness, particularly about M.D./D.O. relations and the future of osteopathic medicine. Despite my ecstasy for this book, I do feel that there are certain portions of this book that can be further elaborated (reasoning behind the four-star rating). For example, I would like it if more material was included about osteopathic medicine between 1960 and today. Specifically, Gevitz seems to gloss over the political and social reverberations behind Henry Kissinger's monumental decision to admit D.O.s in the military as equals to M.D.s. Nevertheless, I thought the book was very well written and has definitely sparked an interest into one of this nation's best-kept secrets.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Understanding of the Progress of Medicine in the U.S., April 10, 2007

By	John R. Thurman Jr. - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The DOs: Osteopathic Medicine in America (Paperback)

This book paints a picture on the birth and growth of osteopathic medicine in the United States. It illustrates the successes, disappointments, and the many trials that osteopathic medicine has endured since its inception. Additionally, it gives the reader an insight into the influence of the American Medical Association and M.D.'s in general. I think that this is a must read for future M.D.'s and D.O.'s alike because it provides a tremendously well written description of these physicians.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptionally indepth view of the history of osteopathic medicine, June 25, 2007

By	K. Robb (Provo, Utah) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The DOs: Osteopathic Medicine in America (Paperback)

I read this book within a week...I never read books that fast. Gevitz's writing style is highly accessible. There were a few chapters or sections where I started to glaze over only because the author explores the minute details of legislative and organizational changes within the American Osteopathic Association, the American Medical Association and other organizations that probably could've been summarized. But this doesn't really detract much from the overall strength and clarity that this book offers; along with an objective look at the history of osteopathic medicine.