Osteopathic medicine is a branch of healthcare that focuses on the holistic approach to patient care. Osteopathic physicians, also known as Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.s), receive similar medical training to their allopathic counterparts (Medical Doctors or M.D.s), but they also receive additional training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a hands-on approach to diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions.
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) is the primary professional organization for osteopathic physicians in the United States. It serves as the certifying body for Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.s) and is responsible for accrediting osteopathic medical colleges and healthcare facilities.
Specialty training programs for D.O.s are typically sponsored by osteopathic medical schools in affiliation with hospitals and clinics. These programs are known as osteopathic graduate medical education (OGME) or osteopathic residency programs.
Many osteopathic medical schools have a curriculum that includes early clinical exposure and opportunities for students to work with physicians from the beginning of their first year. This is often referred to as "early clinical integration" or "early clinical experience."
The statement is true. One of the key principles of osteopathic medicine is the concept of treating the patient as a whole, rather than simply focusing on isolated symptoms or diseases. Osteopathic physicians (DOs) are trained to consider the interconnectedness of various body systems and how they contribute to a person's overall health.
