Osteopathic medical education: ‘This is an exciting time’

What is the current state of osteopathic medical education in the United States? It’s a big question with a simple answer. The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine is the nation’s leading advocate for osteopathic medical education. President & CEO Robert A. Cain, DO, FACOI, FAODM, offers this explanation.

Medical Economics: How would you describe the current state of osteopathic medical education in the United States?

Robert A. Cain, DO, FACOI, FAODME: To take a big question and make it actually very simple, we're growing. When we look at our visibility, we look at the numbers that I was just talking about, influence, reputation, all of those things are growing. This is an exciting time for osteopathic medicine. Some of us feel like we are really at a tipping point as we think about what our contribution to the U.S. health care system can be. And because of that visibility, interest is growing, and applications have been high for students who would like to become osteopathic physicians.