Osteopathic medicine is the kind of medical approach to illness and patient that gives priority to the body's inherent ability to heal itself, and to the patient as a whole, as opposed to just concentrating on symptoms or illness. Though eminently a part of western medicine, it takes a bit of distance from more traditional medicine (called allopathic medicine). This approach to medical sciences is particularly strong in the US, as physicians who practice medicine in this approach have a practice license issued by the same authorities that issue MDs to regular doctors. As happens in standard medicine, each branch nucleates it professionals, and so Aocd.org is the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, from where professionals and patients that favor this approach can get a variety of resources, which include information on approved residency programs, requirements for certification, a disease database and a D.O. dermatologist directory. The medical information available from this site is mainly for patients, so it is written in a simple and easy-to-understand language, and highlights the importance of medical consultation; there is also an extensive links database for professionals, which covers both allopathic and osteopathic currents of medical opinion.