Number of osteopathic physicians increases by 62% in last 10 years: 6 observations

Practice Management

In 12 states, the number of osteopathic physicians has more than doubled in the past decade, according to the 2015 Report on the Osteopathic Medical Profession.  

Here are six observations:

 

1. Rural and underserved areas received new osteopathic medical schools in the past years.

 

2. The report found one of four entering medical students attends an osteopathic medical school.

 

3. Of DOs, 56 percent are primary care physicians.

 

4. Emergency medicine, anesthesiology, obstetric and gynecology, surgery and psychiatry represent the top five DO specialties.

 

5. Women make up 48 percent of those DOs in practice for fewer than 10 years.

 

6. The American Osteopathic Association and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education are creating a single training system called graduate medical education. This new system will allow new physicians to apply for osteopathic and non-osteopathic residencies in all specialties.

 

"These institutions tend to attract local students who remain in the state after graduation, helping to mitigate regional physician shortages and ensure access to high-quality primary and specialty care in rural and underserved areas," said Adrienne White-Faines, CEO, American Osteopathic Association.


 
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