The term Osteopath refers to a fully licensed surgeon or physician who practices the full scope of medicine under the discipline of osteopathic medicine. Osteopathy is a system of medicine in the United States that follows unique philosophies and principles that emphasize the �whole person�. Under this holistic approach, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine treat the patient in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of illness, disease, injury, and other medical conditions using conventional medical practice including drugs, surgery, and therapy.

Osteopathy Training Requirements To Obtain An Osteopathic License

Training for Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) is very similar to that of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.). It involves classroom training, programs providing patient contact, and in depth rotation through the different specialties of medicine.

Osteopathic training consists of four years of professional education. The first two years consist of classroom work and in some cases, include patient contact. Students take courses essential for primary care physicians including anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, as well as courses unique to osteopathic medicine including functional anatomy and concepts and historical foundations of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM). In patient contact courses, students begin their clinical training in history and physical examination skills.

The third and fourth years of training begin involvement in the clinical training programs which emphasize the practical applications of osteopathic medicine throughout the various medical specialties. Students may focus on several specialty areas including, but not limited to, internal medicine, family medicine, obstetric/gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, geriatrics, radiology, and surgery. In the final years of training, students develop competency in a broad range of skills including creating diagnosis, ordering and using laboratory tests, providing treatment, establishing professional relationships with patients, management of patient care during hospital stay and follow-up visits, recording data, writing progress notes, and presenting cases.

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Osteopathic Schools and Degree Programs

There are currently 20 approved Osteopathic Medical Colleges (COM) in the US, but the rate of osteopathic medicine in the US is growing so rapidly, many new schools are planned and many are expanding enrollment.

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.s) are required by state boards to complete a one year rotating internship after graduation from a medical school. Most states also require that a D.O. completes a hospital residency training program for at least 3 and up to 8 years. The graduate is granted a license upon passing the national certification examination and completion of other state board requirements.

Osteopathy Prerequisites

Most students planning to enter an Osteopathic Medical College (COM) hold a bachelors degree while some hold master�s degrees or doctorates. Three to four years of undergraduate training with a background in science is the minimum requirement. Various schools and colleges offer flexible course schedules that range from day, night and weekend classes and training sessions.

Osteopathy Continuing Education

Depending of the state regulations, Osteopathic Doctors must take continuing education (CE) courses to maintain licensure. Regulations may require up to 45 hours of CE in a year, or 125 hours in a three year period. Search HealthCare-TrainingCenter.com to find continued education courses for Osteopathic Medicine.