A January study published in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine and led by researchers at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (Va.) found that former osteopathic orthopedic surgery residency programs are seeing more MD leadership and residents following the transition to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s Single Accreditation System. Here are five things to know:
- One-third of former osteopathic orthopedic residency programs are now led by MDs. Researchers identified 36 formerly American Osteopathic Association-accredited orthopedic surgery residency programs and found 12, 33.3%, had an MD program director, while 24, 66.7%, remained under DO leadership.
- MD residents were more common in programs led by MD directors. Among 561 residents at the programs studied, 43, 7.7%, were MDs. More than 80% of those MD residents trained in programs with an MD program director, a statistically significant association, the study found.
- Most programs still trained only DO residents. More than 60% of the former AOA programs had no MD residents during the 2023-24 academic year. Programs with DO program directors were significantly more likely to have no MD residents.
- Geography and osteopathic recognition mattered. Midwest programs had the highest proportion of DO residents, 97.2%. All five programs with ACGME Osteopathic Recognition trained zero MD residents during the study period.
- Researchers said the trend could affect DO residency opportunities. The authors concluded that the growth in MD leadership at formerly osteopathic programs, coupled with an increase in MD residents at those programs, may reduce opportunities for DO graduates pursuing competitive specialties such as orthopedic surgery. They called the trend a concern for osteopathic medical education leaders.
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