How to become an osteopath

How to become an Osteopath

Becoming an osteopath involves completing a rigorous educational and training path. Here is a guide on how to become an osteopath:

• Earn a Bachelor's Degree: Obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. While there is no specific major required for osteopathic medical school, it is common for students to pursue degrees in biology, chemistry, or other health-related fields.
• Prerequisite Coursework: Complete prerequisite coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Osteopathic medical schools typically have specific requirements, so it's essential to check the prerequisites of the schools you plan to apply to.
• Take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test): Prepare for and take the MCAT, a standardized test required for admission to most medical schools, including osteopathic medical schools.
• Earn a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) Degree: Apply to and complete a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program at an accredited osteopathic medical school. The DO degree is equivalent to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree awarded in allopathic medicine.
• Osteopathic Medical School Curriculum: The DO program typically consists of four years of study, including classroom instruction, clinical rotations, and hands-on training in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM).
• Complete Clinical Rotations: Gain clinical experience through rotations in various medical specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and others. Clinical rotations provide exposure to different aspects of healthcare and patient care.
• Obtain a License: After completing medical school, graduates must obtain a license to practice medicine. This involves passing the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) series, which is specific to osteopathic physicians.
• Complete Residency Training: Choose a specialty and complete a residency program in that specialty. Residency training typically lasts three to seven years, depending on the chosen field.
• Optional Fellowship (Optional): Some osteopathic physicians choose to pursue fellowship training in subspecialties for further specialization.
• Board Certification (Optional): Osteopathic physicians may pursue board certification in their chosen specialty. Board certification is optional but can enhance professional credentials.
• Maintain Continuing Medical Education (CME): Ongoing learning and professional development through continuing medical education are essential for maintaining licensure and staying current with advancements in the field.

Osteopathic physicians, after completing the above steps, can choose to become general practitioners or specialize in various medical fields. Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) is a unique aspect of osteopathic practice, and osteopaths may integrate it into their patient care based on individual patient needs and their chosen specialty.

Fellowships
Fellowships for osteopaths provide opportunities for specialized training and expertise in various medical subspecialties. Osteopathic physicians, after completing their residency training, may choose to pursue fellowships to further enhance their skills and knowledge in a specific area of medicine. Here are some key points about fellowships:

• Diverse Specialties: Fellowships are available in a wide range of medical specialties, including but not limited to cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, rheumatology, pulmonology, infectious diseases, nephrology, and sports medicine.
• Duration: The duration of fellowships varies depending on the chosen subspecialty. Fellowships typically last one to three years, during which fellows gain in-depth experience and training in their area of interest.
• Application Process: Osteopathic physicians interested in fellowships apply through a competitive application process. This may include submitting applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) or other specialty-specific application systems.
• Accreditation: Fellowship programs may be accredited by organizations such as the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), depending on the program's structure.
• Board Certification: Some fellowships may lead to eligibility for board certification in the chosen subspecialty. Board certification is a recognized credential that demonstrates a physician's expertise and proficiency in a particular medical field (see below).
• Clinical and Research Focus: Fellowships often combine clinical training with opportunities for research and scholarly activities. Fellows may be involved in clinical trials, academic research, and the development of new treatment modalities within their chosen subspecialty.
• Teaching Opportunities: Many fellowship programs include teaching components, allowing fellows to engage in the education and mentorship of medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals.
• Networking and Collaboration: Fellowships provide opportunities for networking and collaboration with experts in the chosen subspecialty. Fellows often work closely with experienced faculty members and fellow trainees, fostering a supportive learning environment.
• Post-Fellowship Career Paths: Completion of a fellowship enhances a physician's qualifications and opens doors to advanced career opportunities. Fellows may choose to pursue careers in academic medicine, research, private practice, or hospital-based settings.
• Continuing Medical Education (CME): Fellows are expected to engage in ongoing continuing medical education (CME) activities to stay current with developments in their subspecialty and maintain professional competence.

Board Certification
Board certification for osteopathic physicians is an optional but valuable credential that demonstrates a physician's expertise and proficiency in a specific medical specialty. Board certification is typically granted by specialty boards recognized by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Here are key points regarding board certification for osteopathic physicians:

• Specialty Boards: Specialty boards are organizations responsible for assessing the qualifications and competence of physicians in various medical specialties. These boards develop and administer examinations that evaluate a physician's knowledge, skills, and clinical judgment in their chosen field.
• American Osteopathic Association (AOA): The AOA oversees board certification for osteopathic physicians. Osteopathic specialty boards under the AOA grant board certification to eligible candidates. These boards cover a wide range of medical specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and more.
• Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for board certification, osteopathic physicians typically need to complete an accredited residency program in their chosen specialty. The specific eligibility criteria vary by specialty, and physicians should refer to the requirements of the relevant specialty board.
• Examinations: Board certification involves passing rigorous written and, in some cases, oral examinations. These exams assess the physician's knowledge, clinical reasoning, and ability to apply medical principles in their specialty.
• Maintenance of Certification (MOC): Many specialty boards have implemented Maintenance of Certification (MOC) programs, which require ongoing participation in professional development, continuing medical education (CME), and periodic reassessment to maintain board certification. MOC aims to ensure that certified physicians stay current with advancements in their field.
• Recognition by Hospitals and Employers: Board certification is often recognized and valued by hospitals, healthcare institutions, and employers. Some institutions may prefer or require board-certified physicians for certain positions or privileges.
• Patient Trust and Confidence: Board certification enhances patient trust and confidence in a physician's qualifications. Patients often see board certification as a sign of a physician's commitment to excellence and continuous learning.
• American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS): Osteopathic physicians may also pursue board certification through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) in addition to or instead of AOA certification, depending on their career goals and specialty.
• Subspecialty Certification: Some physicians may pursue subspecialty certification in addition to primary board certification. Subspecialty certification demonstrates expertise in a specific area within a broader medical specialty.
• Verification: Patients and employers can verify a physician's board certification status through the respective specialty board or certification organization's website.