US Trained Doctors of
Osteopathic Medicine (DOs)
Adrienne White-Faines, MPA, FACHEChief Executive Officer of American Osteopathic Association
Margaret Aguwa, DO, MPH, FACOFPAssociate Dean and Professor Emerita Michigan State Univ-COM
What is Osteopathic Medicine?
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Distinct branch of medical practice
Whole-person philosophyAll systems of the human body are interrelated and work together to heal the body in times of illness.
Pioneered by Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO at the end of the nineteenth century.
Dr. Still developed a holistic approach to medicine. His philosophy stressed the importance of preventive medicine and used a set of manual techniques, now known as osteopathic manipulative treatment, to help diagnose, treat and prevent illness and injury.
Who Are DOs?
• DOs are one of two types of fully licensed
physicians in the U.S. (DOs & MDs) and
practice their patient-centered philosophy of
medicine in every medical specialty
• It is projected that before 2025 DOs will
comprise over 20% of the US physician
population.
• Today, 1 of every 4 (25%) of US medical
students are enrolled in Colleges of
Osteopathic Medicine (COM).
• DOs focus on prevention, considering
how a patient’s lifestyle and environment
can impact their wellbeing.
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4 YearsUndergraduate
(Bachelors Degree)
4 YearsOsteopathic
Medical School
3-7 YearsInternshipResidency
1-3 YearsSpecialty
Fellowship
Board Certification/Licensure
11 to 18 years total
Both DOs and MDs must be licensed in their state(s) before they can practice medicine
DOs and MDs both practice in licensed hospitals and/or healthcare settings
Typical US Physician Training Timeline (DO and MD)
DO Specialty Choice
Source: AOA Masterfile Data May 31, 2016
56% Primary Care 44% Specialty Care
Family Medicine remains the largest specialty of DOs in the US (31%)
Emergency Medicine
7,523 (10%)
General Surgery
3,478 (4%)
OB/GYN
3,318 (4%)
Anesthesiology
2,545 (3%)
Psychiatry
2,438 (3%)
Next Top 5 Specialties
Pediatrics
5,259
7%
Internal Medicine
12,629
16%
Family Medicine
24,030
31%
Breakdown by Specialty
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1890s 1st osteopathic medical school/ AOA founded
1901 California 1st state to grant DOs unlimited practice rights
1910 FLEXNER Report- Assessment of ALL US Medical Schools
1927 1st AOA residency programs
1952 AOA COCA became federally recognized accrediting body
1961 “California Challenge” - California Medical Association (creates proof of equivalency to MDs)
1966 DOs accepted into military as equivalent to MDs
1970s Payment reform leads to merge/buy OM and other hospitals
1972 DOs enter ACGME residencies
1975-1980 Increase from 5 schools to 15 schools
1980s Population Growth and Healthy People 2000 Project physician shortage… leads to growth of COMs
1980-2015 Explosive growth in DO schools to (15 to 48) and 300% growth in number of practicing DOs in US.
2014 AOA/ACGME approve Single Accreditation System
Our Journey …The History…
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US TRAINED DOs - IMPACT TODAY
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The AOA : Accreditation/ Membership/ Advocacy/ Public Health
• Accredit Medical colleges
• Accredit Post Grad Residency
• Provide Board Certification
• Membership
• Public Policy
• Research / Public Health
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AOA International Affairs Division
• Practice Rights & Equity / Licensure
• Affiliation Expansion
• Research Collaboration & Global
Health
• Mission (DOCARE/ Medical
Education Exchange)
• Medical College Accreditation
DOCARE & Global Health Outreach
• DOCARE International is a medical outreach organization dedicated to providing medical education and healthcare to under-resourced communities around the world.
• DOCARE works with local healthcare personnel and carefully considers the needs of the community as voiced by their representatives.
• DOCARE supports sustained continuity clinics by helping to fund local providers and then growing outreach to surrounding communities.
• DOCARE provides all-volunteer trips for both DOs and MDs, students, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and lay people, to support mission efforts throughout the year.
The DO Connection to Africa
DOs from Africa
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In 2016 data indicate 90 students of African origin
were matriculated at US Colleges of Osteopathic
Medicine
Cameroon Nigeria D.R. Congo SenegalEgypt SomaliaEthiopia South AfricaGhana SudanKenya SwazilandLiberia TanzaniaMorocco UgandaNamibia ZambiaNiger Zimbabwe
DOs At Work on the Continent:
We currently have research and clinical mission outreach ongoing in 4 African countries, and continual requests for licensure from DOs across the continent.
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Perspectives on History of DO Physicians with Origins in Africa
Perspective through personal history
Student, resident and faculty presence in Medical Schools, such as Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Many prior episodic efforts to achieve practice rights in African countries (ex. Nigeria)
With growth in US and growing global understanding of US trained DO physicians, it is the opportune time to clarify the practice rights confusion.
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Discussion of AMCOA Opportunity
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The AOA requests that AMCOA now
consider a resolution to recognize US-
trained DOs practice rights as equivalent to
MD practice rights across your member
regulatory authorities and health ministries.
Humayun Chaudry, DO, MS, MACP, MACOICEO, FSMBChair, IAMRA
Thank you for your commitment toward a world of wellness!
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