The Canyon

Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathic medicine is a distinct form of medical care founded on the philosophy that all body systems are interrelated and dependent upon one another for good health. This philosophy was developed in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Still, who introduced the concept of "wellness" and of treating illness within the context of the whole body. Dr. Still opened the first college of osteopathic medicine in Kirksville, Missouri, in 1892. A Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) is, like an M.D., a fully licensed physician who uses all the tools of modern medicine including surgery and prescription medications. Osteopaths also bring a hands-on approach to medicine, using osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) as an aid to the diagnosis and treatment of various illnesses. OMT is a set of manual medicine techniques that may be used to relieve pain, restore range of motion, and enhance the body's capacity to heal. Because they recognize the close relationship between body structure and organic functioning, osteopathic physicians emphasize the musculoskeletal system, proper nutrition and environmental factors.

Professional Outlook

Because of the whole-person approach to medicine, approximately 60% of all D.O.s choose to practice in the primary care disciplines of family practice, general internal medicine and pediatrics. The remaining 40% go on to specialize in a wide range of practice areas. Primary care practitioners earn an average income of $133,322 per year; specialists' average annual earnings are $215,932.

While America's 45,000 D.O.s account for only 5% of the country's physicians, they handle 10% of all primary care visits. D.O.s also have a strong history of serving rural and underserved areas, often providing their unique brand of compassionate, patient-centered care to some of the most economically disadvantaged members of society.

Education

Osteopathic medical school is four years long. The first two years focus on the basic sciences such as anatomy and physiology. The third and fourth years emphasize clinical work and much of the teaching takes place in hospitals. Students rotate through various specialties in various rural and urban settings. Following graduation, a 12-month internship is required for licensure, after which a new D.O. may go into practice or may elect to enter a two to six year residency program in a specialty.

Admissions

Admission to osteopathic medical school is competitive and selective. More than academic excellence, however, is required. The person who is well-rounded, has a broad background, and who demonstrates compassion, solid communication skills, and who enjoys getting to know people, including those from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic groups has the best chance for admission to osteopathic medical school. In addition, osteopathic medical schools admit a fairly large number of non-traditional students. Typically, these students come to osteopathic medicine as a second career from an amazing variety of backgrounds. Approximately 20-25% of the students in osteopathic medical school fall into the category of non-traditional students.

To be considered for admission to one of the 19 osteopathic medical schools applicants typically earn a Bachelor's degree, including the following requirements:

In 2000, the mean GPA of entering student was 3.4. The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is also required for admission. The mean MCAT scores of entering student in 2000 were:

Closest School

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