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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is
Osteopathic Medicine?
Osteopathic medicine is a distinctive form of medical practice in Canada and the United States. The practice of osteopathic medicine utilizes all available modern medical technologies to assess and treat injury and disease. It also offers the added benefit of hands-on diagnosis and treatment through a system of therapy known as osteopathic manipulative medicine.
Osteopathic physicians understand how all the body’s systems are interconnected and how each one affects the others. When indicated, they focus special attention on the musculoskeletal system, which reflects and influences the condition of all other body systems. D.O.s know that the body’s structure plays a critical role in its ability to function. They can use their eyes and hands to identify structural problems and to support the body’s natural tendency toward health and self-healing.
NEW ! - AACOM recently launched “Osteopathic Medical Student Profiles: In their Own Words: A Snapshot of the Osteopathic Medical Student,” a student recruitment web page that features the experiences of students at each of the nation’s colleges of osteopathic medicine. With each student profile, included is a link to the student’s college of osteopathic medicine web site, so that prospective applicants can learn more about that medical college and its academic programs. Visitors can also click on links to the Recruitment Calendar and to order/view the 2010 College Information Book: http://www.aacom.org/InfoFor/applicants/profiles/Pages/default.aspx
NEW ! - To view a new 8 minute video regarding osteopathic medical education from the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine called "Explore the DO Difference", follow this link: http://data.aacom.org/video/AACOMv14.wmv
What services does an Osteopathic Physician provide?
D.O.s are complete physicians, and
through comprehensive residency training, may specialize in any field of
medicine of their choosing. That means they are fully trained and licensed
to order any required laboratory and imaging diagnostic procedures,
prescribe medication, and perform surgery. D.O.s and allopathic
physicians (M.D.s) are the only two types of complete physicians in North
America. Osteopathic
manipulative treatment (OMT) is incorporated in the training and practice
of osteopathic physicians. By combining all available medical
procedures with OMT, D.O.s offer their patients the most comprehensive
care available in medicine today.
Are osteopathic services
covered by my provincial health insurance plan?
Yes. Osteopathic physicians are fully licensed medical practitioners, and all medical services provided are covered by your provincial health care plan.
I am interested in
pursuing a career in osteopathic medicine. How do I apply?
Contact the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine at www.aacom.org
NEW ! - The 2011 Osteopathic Medical College Information Book (CIB) now available. The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine 'College Information Book' (CIB) is the official publication for prospective applicants, students, pre-health advisors and others interested in gaining information about or applying to US osteopathic medical colleges. This year's CIB, for students applying for the fall of 2011, has been expanded to cover a variety of new topics, and includes updated admission requirements, tuition, fees, deposits, important deadlines and special programs at each of the osteopathic medical colleges. To order or download the 2011 College Information Book, follow this link: http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Pages/default.aspx
NOTE : If you are a Canadian
interested in applying to AACOM schools, the AACOM has confirmed that the
following colleges of osteopathic medicine may accept applications from
Canadians that do not hold U.S. Permanent Resident Status (contact your
school of interest directly to confirm eligibility): ATSU-KCOM, AZCOM, CCOM,
DMUCOM, KCUMB-COM, LECOM-Erie, LECOM-
Do you have any tips for Premed students wishing to apply to osteopathic medical schools?
NEW ! - For the top 10 tips for Premed students from the 'US News' Professor's Guide, view the following article at: http://www.usnews.com/blogs/professors-guide/2009/4/8/10-tips-for-premed-students.html
Are there COA/AOA
accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in Canada?
No. Currently, the only accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine graduating qualified osteopathic graduates are found in the USA. There are 29 accredited osteopathic medical schools in the United States.
I hold an osteopathic
diploma or certificate granted from a school outside of North America.
Can I register to practice osteopathy in Canada?
No. Only those graduates from COA/AOA accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine meet the qualifications and are eligible for registration with the provincial colleges of physicians and surgeons.
I am aware of a
non-physician osteopath practicing without college of physician
registration. What should I do?
Please advise your provincial Minister of
Health, and the Registrar of your provincial College of Physicians and
Surgeons.
July 6, 2010