AACOM President And CEO Answers Your Top Osteopathic Medicine Questions

Osteopathic medicine is the fastest growing medical field in the U.S., growing at a rate of about 5% per year. In fact, more than 25% of all medical students in the U.S. are currently in school to become osteopathic physicians and are being trained in a whole-person approach to diagnose and treat patients.

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, use Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM), a system of hands-on techniques that help to alleviate pain, restore motion, support the body’s natural functions and influence the body’s structure to help it function more efficiently. This whole-person approach is instilled in osteopathic medical students from day one of school.


During their schooling, DOs will receive a strong foundation in primary care, which is why many DOs gravitate toward this field. However, all osteopathic medical schools thoroughly prepare their students to become competent physicians, no matter what specialty they choose.

There is a growing presence of colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) in the U.S., with 35 accredited colleges in 55 teaching locations in 32 states. More and more colleges are getting accredited, and significant changes are coming to the medical education field.

To learn more about the changes and what it takes to become a DO, Moon Prep sat down with the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) President and CEO Stephen C. Shannon, DO, MPH. Below are the key takeaways from the interview.


Kristen Moon: What are the advantages of obtaining a DO over an MD?

Stephen Shannon: A prospective student should explore both paths to medicine to help them find which one fits their style of learning and their vision for becoming a doctor. DO students tend to want to approach patients holistically, and in their training have an earlier interaction with patients in their communities. Many DO schools have formed close relationships with hospitals and clinics in areas with a shortage of physicians, which equates to more training in community-based hospitals. In addition to hospitals, students at osteopathic medical schools will complete their clinical education in out-patient office and clinic settings, which benefit them because these are the types of places where they will be practicing once they complete their training.

Osteopathic students learn the use of OMM, which enables physicians to diagnose and treat certain conditions with their hands. This technique can sometimes give relief that is near instantaneous, which when experienced by patients seems almost miraculous. Those kinds of hands-on skills appeal to some students and is a reason they turn to osteopathic schools.

The education and training of MD and DO students begins very similarly. During the first two years, the textbooks are the same, and the students learn the same knowledge. Where it starts to vary is in how the medical student is taught to approach the patient. In osteopathic schools, the students are trained to look at the patient holistically. That is, they ask what the patients do for work, their family, cultural issues, their lifestyle. All of this helps the students to deal with the patient as a whole, integrated person. Although this is not exclusive to osteopathic medicine, it is a historically distinctive characteristic.

The whole-person approach effectively prepares DOs to communicate and partner with their patients in a way that helps them get healthy and stay well.

Moon: The number of doctors holding a DO degree is on the rise. Why do you think that is?

ShannonThere are more opportunities for students to learn about osteopathic physicians because the number of schools and programs is growing. There are osteopathic schools in more states, and the established programs are increasing their class sizes. People are beginning to recognize the importance of patient-centered relationships, which cause some to turn toward a DO program.

Moon: As more students turn toward osteopathic medical schools, how do you think the future of medicine will change?

ShannonThe entire practice of medicine is going to change very soon. With the increasing use of information, technology, and data incorporated into professional team-based care, we can expect that the future of medicine will be very different. Greater integration across both MD and DO training pathways will be among these transformations.

Moon: If someone is deciding between allopathic or osteopathic school, what are important factors for them to consider?

Shannon: They first should research and gain knowledge about the differences between the two programs to help make an informed decision. Prospective students deciding which track to a medical career is right for them can visit and speak with different students and advisors to learn about the pathways. In addition, they should interact with both osteopathic and allopathic schools. That is one of the best ways to get a good understanding of the school.

Students should also decide what location they would like to go to school and consider the curriculum at each school before making a final decision. You can also see what type of residencies the students at a particular school tend to enter into to see if that school aligns with your future goals. Aspiring physicians should try to envision what type of physician they want to be, and in what kind of setting, such as rural or city.

Moon: What advice do you have for high school students aspiring to be doctors?

Shannon: AACOM has created a new website called ChooseDO.org, which is an excellent one-stop clearinghouse for those considering a future in health care. Designed to help students discover whether osteopathic medicine is the right path for them, it provides tailored resources to help visitors learn what it means to be a DO, how to prepare for medical school, submit an application, and more.

High school and college students should also be serious regarding their academics and transcript. Maintaining high grades, cultivating strong study skills, and being active in campus organizations are all invaluable. It doesn’t matter what you are passionate about, as long as you are engaging with the community. Sports, clubs and other activities are all great examples of how students can develop people skills and interact with others.

Reaching out to current DO students can also be a great way to gain insights on topics including the application process, a day in the life of a medical student, and how to find work-life balance in medical school.

Remember, your application to medical school isn’t all about grades or subjects taken. Don’t lose your passions along the way, even if they aren’t directly connected to medicine. You can continue to pursue your extracurriculars in art, music or anything else.

Moon: What are the qualities of a successful osteopathic student?

Shannon: Students who are respectful, have strong relationships with others, and are open and honest tend to excel at osteopathic schools. They need to recognize both the strengths and weaknesses and have an attitude of being a lifelong learner. Candidates should be able to work well as part of a team, but also show leadership within those teams.

Moon: According to the National Resident Matching Program, osteopathic medical school seniors matched more frequently in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Pediatrics compared to other specialties. They were less like to apply for a residency in otolaryngology, plastic surgery, radiation oncology, and orthopedic surgery. Is there a reason for this? Do osteopathic schools tend to prepare students more for those specialties than others?

Shannon: You will see so many DOs gravitating toward fields like internal medicine and medicine because it is a pathway that works well with the primary care focus of osteopathic medical education and OMM. However, the NRMP statistics do not reflect the true picture, because, until 2020, many DO students match into specialty programs via the AOA (American Osteopathic Association)’s National Matching Service, which is exclusively for DO students going into AOA-accredited residencies. That will change in 2020, as all medical school graduates, MD and DO, will be in the ACGME single graduate medical education (GME) accreditation system (SAS).

Moon: What effect will the single GME accreditation system have on osteopathic students? Will more or fewer opportunities be available to them?

Shannon: Under this new system, the AOA, AACOM, and ACGME agreed to form a single GME accreditation system. Previously, there had been two separate accreditation systems. The AOA was strictly for DOs, and the ACGME was for the MD residency programs and fellowships but DO students could apply to both.

This change will be a positive one for DO students as it will standardize the accreditation for all GME training programs. This way, MD and DO students will be on a level playing field seeking residencies, and they will all be coming out of programs with the same accreditation standards. In addition, the ACGME has changed its system to enable any residency training program in any specialty to seek Osteopathic Recognition, that will continue the key elements of osteopathic principles and practice during residency training for those that chose to do so. It will be open to both DO and MD trainees. This single accreditation system was very student-driven, and a lot of effort has gone into helping students to understand how the new system will work. Because all residency programs will be open to both MDs and DOs, it will result in more diversity, and strong programs as students from different learning backgrounds can come together.

Moon: Once DOs enter the workforce, do you find that they face discrimination based on the fact they did not go to an allopathic school?

Shannon: DOs are just as respected, competent, and educated as their MD counterparts. Over the years, as DOs assume more leadership positions and gain greater recognition as fully licensed, practicing physicians on an equal par with their MD colleagues, instances of discrimination are increasingly rare.



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