Osteopathic Physician (D.O.)

Osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) are fully licensed to prescribe medication and practice in all specialty areas, including surgery. The osteopathic medical philosophy emphasizes preventive health care and focuses on the unity of all body parts. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, D.O.s regard the body as an integrated whole and they help patients develop attitudes and lifestyles that help prevent illness. D.O.s also receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system – the body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of its body mass. This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of the ways that an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect another. Furthermore, D.O.s incorporate osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) into their medical care. With OMT, osteopathic physicians use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage the body’s natural tendency toward good health.

Osteopathic Medical Education

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation accredits the 25 college of osteopathic medicine in 28 locations in the United States that award the D.O. degree. Osteopathic medical students take courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, histology, osteopathic principles and practices (including osteopathic manipulative medicine), pharmacology, clinical skills, doctor/patient communication, and systems courses that focus on each major system of the body, such as cardiology and respiratory Many osteopathic medical schools have students assigned to work with physicians beginning early in the first year. This process continues throughout the second year in conjunction with the necessary science courses. In the third and fourth years, osteopathic medical students spend time learning about and exploring the major specialties in medicine through clinical rotations. One unique aspect of the osteopathic medical student’s education is how these rotations are conducted in community hospitals and physicians’ offices across the country. Because few osteopathic medical colleges have their own hospitals, the schools partner with community hospitals across the country to deliver the third and fourth year curriculum as well as internship and residency training. This model of medical education developed by the osteopathic medical profession has been touted as the new model for all medical education. Current pilot studies are being developed on a national level to evaluate this model of medical education.

Medical License

Osteopathic physicians are licensed to practice medicine in the U.S. by licensing boards in each state. Requirements for licensure vary by state, but generally there are three ways an osteopathic physician can become licensed to practice medicine:
1. Successful completion of a medical licensing exam administered by the state licensing board. State boards may prepare their own examination or administer an examination that has been prepared and purchased from a specialized agency. Today, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) are the most widely used tests.
2. Acceptance of the certificate issued by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME), awarded after an applicant has satisfied the requirements, including the successful passage of a rigorous series of tests.
3. Reciprocity or endorsement of a license previously received from another state. The license presented for reciprocity or endorsement typically has to have been issued on the basis of a written examination.

Certification

An AOA board-certified D.O. is one recognized by one of the 18 approved certifying boards of the AOA as having achieved expertise in a medical specialty or subspecialty by completing specific specialty or subspecialty training, passing a rigorous board examination and meeting other board-specific requirements. Board certification is a voluntary process. Certification requirements vary by specialty. At a minimum, candidates for AOA certification must have a valid state license to practice medicine, have completed a one-year internship followed by completion of an approved residency training program, have passed the board exam or exams and be members of the AOA or the Canadian Osteopathic Association. To maintain board certification, AOA board certified physicians must complete a minimum of 120 hours of approved and documented AOA continuing medical education credits within a three-year period, of which 50 hours must be in their general specialty. The American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians is an exception, requiring 150 hours with 50 hours in the general specialty.