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Below are answers to some common questions organized into these categories:
If you do not see the answer to your question, please contact us.
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
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| CME download [DOC format] Contains all CME related questions and answers |
Students
What is the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education?
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) is a private professional organization responsible for the accreditation of nearly 7,800 allopathic residency education programs. Residency education is the period of clinical education in a medical specialty that follows graduation from medical school, and prepares physicians for the independent practice of allopathic medicine. The ACGME's volume of accredited programs makes it one of the largest private accrediting agencies in the country, if not the world.
When will the AOA implement a new electronic residency application system?
The Council on Osteopathic Postgraduate Training approved a resolution to approved an osteopathic ERAS. The internship class beginning in 2006 was the first be able to submit their internship applications via ERAS beginning July 1, 2005.
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How can I find an osteopathic internship or residency?
For more information about an osteopathic internship or residency, use the Opportunities database.
How can I find statistics/rankings to help me choose the best osteopathic medical college?
The AOA does not rank its colleges. All osteopathic medical colleges must comply with the standards and procedures found in the Accreditation of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine manual. For more information see Predoctoral Accreditation.
Does the AOA have a mentor program?
Yes we do. The iLEARN Mentor Program is composed of three parts: the AOA Mentor Exchange Program; the AOA Mentor Hall of Fame; and the AOA Mentor Recognition Program. To learn more about these programs visit www.DO-Online.org/iLearn or email iLEARN@osteopathic.org.
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Licensing Exam
What is the COMLEX?
The COMLEX-USA is the primary pathway by which osteopathic physicians apply for licensure to practice osteopathic medicine and is currently accepted for licensure in 50 states.
How can I find out more information about the test, such as how to prepare for it, where to take it?
For more information about the COMLEX go to the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.
What is the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners and what is its connection to the COMLEX?
The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) is the organization that develops and administers the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) sequence for osteopathic physicians.
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About D.O.s and Osteopathic Medicine
What is the official definition of a D.O.?
D.O.s, n. fully licensed osteopathic physicians who specialize in all areas of medicine; founded on philosophy of treating people, not just symptoms.
Which areas of medicine can D.O.s specialize in?
There are 18 AOA specialty certifying boards with over 75 specialties that D.O.s can be certified in by an osteopathic specialty board.
Some of those specialties are:
| Addiction Medicine |
Orthopedics |
| Allergy and Immunology |
Pathology |
| Anesthesiology |
Pediatrics |
| Dermatology |
Proctology |
| Emergency Medicine |
Radiology |
| Family Medicine |
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| Internal Medicine |
Rheumatology |
| Neurology |
Otolaryngology |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology |
Sports Medicine |
| Occupational and Preventive Medicine |
Surgery |
| Ophthalmology |
Psychiatry |
For a complete listing of specialties that offer certification click here.
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Are D.O.s allowed to practice in all 50 states?
Yes, D.O.s have practice rights in all 50 states.
How can I locate a D.O?
To locate a D.O., the public can use the Find a D.O. feature at the top of the page. AOA members can login and click on My AOA > Directory of the Osteopathic Profession to locate other D.O.s. Alternatively you can click on the link to access the list of osteopathic state associations. Locate the state on the list and log onto their Web site to do a search for D.O.s in that state.
How many D.O.s are there in the United States and in my state?
Currently, there are more than 67,000 D.O.s in the United States. Click here to access the latest Osteopathic Medical Profession Report to find out the number of D.O.s in your state as well as other statistical information about the osteopathic medical profession.
What is the D.O. symbol and what does it represent?
The D.O. symbol is called the Staff of Asclepius and consists of a single serpent encircling a staff, or classically a rough-hewn knotty tree limb. The staff was named after Asclepius, a skilled physician who practiced in Greece around 1200 B.C. Asclepius can also be found in Homer's Iliad. Asclepius is commonly referred to as the Greek god of Healing.
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Certification
What does it mean to be Board Certified?
When a D.O. is board certified, it means that they have met each of the following requirements:
- Have documented the satisfactory completion of an AOA-approved residency or preceptorship program if applicable.
- Are and remain members in good standing of the AOA or the Canadian Osteopathic Association.
- Have met all the requirements as established by the appropriate specialty board.
- Have applied to and have been accepted as a registrant by the appropriate specialty board.
Can a D.O. be certified by an M.D. board?
Yes. However, in order for a D.O. to remain certified by an osteopathic board, they must been the following requirements:
- Be a member of the American Osteopathic Association or the Canadian Osteopathic Association.
- Pay the annual certification registration fee, unless classified as inactive.
- Maintain a set minimum of approved and documented AOA Continuing Medical Education credits within a three-year period, at least one-third of which shall be in their general specialty (Category I or II).
Individual specialty boards may establish rules and regulations specifying additional requirements.
How can I find out if a D.O. is certified by an osteopathic specialty board?
For prospective patients: contact the AOA certification division via e-mail at ebell@osteopathic.org or by telephone at 1.800.621.1773, ext. 8266.
For professional credentialing: doprofiles.org
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D.O. Comments/Complaints
Who do I contact to file a complaint against a D.O. or to find out if a D.O. has complaints on file?
In order to file a complaint against a D.O., or to find out about complaints filed against a D.O., contact the medical board in the state where the D.O. practices.
Who do I contact if I feel that a D.O. has violated the AOA Code of Ethics?
You must put your complaint in writing and mail to :
Chairman, AOA Committee on Ethics
C/O Membership Department
AOA
142 E. Ontario
Chicago, IL 60611
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About the AOA
How long is the term of the AOA President?
The term of the AOA president and president-elect is for one year. For a complete list of the current AOA leadership, click here.
How can I locate a staff member or department at the AOA?
Call the AOA toll free at 1.800.621.1773 to be connected to a specific staff member or department.
How can I access your list of current job listings?
For a list of jobs at the AOA, click here. If you are a D.O. and seeking a position, click here.
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What has the osteopathic medical profession done to prepare for future bioterrorist threats?
In response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Boards of the AOA and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) formed the AOA/AACOM Task Force on Bioterrorism. This task force has created materials for AOA members educating them about how to address patient anxiety and stress as a result of possible bioterrorist attacks. These bioterrorism resources are available to members by logging in at the upper right and clicking on AOA Member Resources.
What does the AOA do to address timely public health care issues?
The AOA prides itself on helping to create and improve access to health care for all Americans. To this extent, the association has created the women’s health, end-of-life care and minority health care initiatives. Each of these initiatives seeks to promote health care, continuing medical education and public programs for these groups.
Does the AOA have an international organization?
Yes. In 1996 the AOA created the Council on International Osteopathic Medical Education and Affairs (CIOMEA) to provide leadership and programs that focus on the international interests of AOA members.
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How can I find out the AOA’s position on a specific health issue?
To find out the AOA’s stance on a specific health issue, click here.
How can I find out information about upcoming AOA meetings?
For more information about upcoming AOA meetings, click on the calendar of events.
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Research and Publications
I am doing research on a specific medical term where can I get information on this topic?
The best place for online research is PubMed run by the National Library of Medicine. To do online research on osteopathic medicine, you should search OSTMED, the osteopathic literature database.
Where can I obtain a reprint of an article that appeared in the JAOA or The DO?
To obtain copies of past AOA publications, contact the AOA library at info@osteopathic.org.
How can I subscribe to an osteopathic publication?
For more information about subscribing to osteopathic publications, click here.
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Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP)
How can I get a copy of the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP)manual and requirements?
Copies of the accreditation requirements may be obtained by contacting info@HFAP.org. Additional information regarding the accreditation process can be obtained on the HFAP Web site.
How does HFAP compare to JCAHO?
For additional information about the HFAP program contact: info@HFAP.org.
What type of programs can HFAP accredit?
- Hospitals and their clinical laboratories
- Ambulatory care/surgical facilities
- Mental health facilities
- Substance abuse facilities
- Physical rehabilitation facilities
- Clinical laboratories
- Critical access hospitals
- Stroke centers
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