Which profession is most similar to that of a conventional doctor?

Osteopathy is a profession that is most similar to that of a conventional doctor due to its comprehensive training and approach to patient care. Osteopaths, like conventional medical doctors, complete medical training and are licensed to prescribe medications and perform surgical procedures. They focus on the whole body and employ a philosophy that emphasizes the body's ability to heal itself, similar to the holistic approach taken by many conventional physicians.

Osteopaths also undergo extensive education that aligns more closely with conventional medical education compared to other alternative or complementary therapies. This includes rigorous training in anatomy, physiology, and clinical practice. While they may use manual manipulation techniques, their training and practice mirror that of traditional medical practitioners in many aspects, such as diagnosis, treatment of illnesses, and patient management.

In contrast, other professions like massage therapists, chiropractors, and acupuncturists, while contributing to patient health, generally focus on specific therapies and do not have the same breadth of training or scope of practice as osteopaths, making the osteopath the closest match to a conventional doctor's role.