Osteopathy is defined as "a system of medical practice based on the theory that diseases are due chiefly to a loss of structural integrity in the tissues and that this integrity can be restored by manipulation of the parts, supported by the use of medicines, surgery, proper diet, and other therapy." Most osteopathic physicians are family doctors engaged in general practice. They see patients at the office or make house calls and treat patients in osteopathic and other private and public hospitals. Some osteopathic physicians specialize in such fields as internal medicine, neurology, psychiatry, ophthalmology, pediatrics, anesthesiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology, pathology, proctology, radiology, and surgery.
Most osteopathic physicians are in private practice, although a few hold salaried positions in private industry or government agencies. Others hold full-time positions with osteopathic hospitals and colleges where they are engaged in teaching, research, and writing.
Places of Employment and Working Conditions
Most osteopathic physicians practice in states that have osteopathic hospital facilities; over half are in Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, and Missouri. Most general practitioners are located in towns and cities having less than 50,000 people; specialists are usually located in larger cities.
Qualifications, Education, and Training
Anyone interested in becoming an osteopathic physician should have emotional stability, patience, tact, and an interest in and ability to deal effectively with people.
The education requirements for the doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) degree include a minimum of three years of college (although almost all applicants have a bachelor's degree) plus a three- to four-year professional program. The education and training of an osteopathic physician is very expensive due primarily to the length of time involved. Federal and private funds are available for loans, and federal scholarships are available to those who qualify and agree to a minimum of two years of service for the federal government after completion of training.
Undergraduate study must include courses in chemistry, physics, biology, and English, with high grades an important factor in acceptance into the professional programs. In addition to high grades, schools require a good score on the Medical College Admission Test and letters of recommendation. One very important qualification is the applicant's desire to study osteopathy rather than some other field of medicine.
During the first half of the professional program, the student studies basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology, and pathology as well as the principles of osteopathy. The second half of the program consists primarily of clinical experience. After graduation, a 12-month internship is usually completed at one of the osteopathic hospitals approved for internship or residency by the American Osteopathic Association. Those who intend to specialize must complete an additional two to five years of training.
All practicing osteopathic physicians must be licensed. State licensing requirements vary, but all states require graduation from an approved school of osteopathic medicine and a passing grade on a state board examination. Most states require internship at an approved hospital.
Potential and Advancement
There are about 53,500 practicing osteopathic physicians in the United States. Population growth, an increase in the number of persons covered by medical insurance, and the establishment of additional osteopathic hospitals will contribute to an increasing demand for osteopathic physicians. The greatest demand will continue to be in states where osteopathic medicine is well known and accepted as a method of treatment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the demand for all physicians—which includes osteopathic physicians—is expected to grow by 24% between 2014 and 2024. People in this field can expect excellent job opportunities for the foreseeable future.
Opportunities for new practitioners are best in rural areas (many localities lack medical practitioners of any kind), small towns, and suburbs of large cities. The availability of osteopathic hospital facilities should be considered when one is selecting a location for practice.
Income
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay of all physicians was $187,200 in 2015. While the BLS does not provide statistics specifically regarding osteopathic physicians, their salaries and job outlook are similar to the broader field.
Additional sources of information
American Osteopathic Association Department of Public Relations, Chicago, IL 60611
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Rockville, MD 2085
