The values, attitudes, expectations, and vision of the next generation of DOs are strongly influenced by the training they receive.
1, 2 In the past, DOs trained in osteopathic hospitals
3 and the osteopathic culture permeated every aspect of training and practice.
4 However, once DOs were allowed to take licensure tests without completing osteopathic graduate medical education (GME), the numbers of DOs entering directly into Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) programs increased substantially.
5, 6 Today, uniquely osteopathic training seems to be increasingly limited to osteopathic medical schools.
7 Furthermore, a 2007 report
8 stated that DOs made up only 45% of faculty at osteopathic medical schools.
As a result, I believe a "voltage drop" occurs in osteopathic engagement with every transition in training. In my experience, first- and second-year osteopathic medical students have curricula surrounding osteopathic principles and practice, but a sharp drop in osteopathic-specific training time and focus occurs in the clinical years. A similar voltage drop occurs with the transition from medical school to GME, from residency training to fellowship, and from fellowship to practice. To maintain the "osteopathic" in osteopathic education, perhaps we need recharging outlets at each level. Osteopathic postdoctoral training institutions have been the battery pack for DOs in osteopathic residency and fellowship training, providing some osteopathic juice when the level ran low. Osteopathic-focused GME can provide an additional charging outlet for osteopathic infusion after medical school.