Are you seeking the best osteopathic schools? You’re in the right place.
Osteopathic medicine is among the fastest-growing medical professions in the United States. As of 2018, the United States had over 145,000 osteopathic medical students and doctors.
Osteopathic doctors’ job prospect is encouraging. They can work as medical directors, primary care physicians, research assistants, clinical instructors, and many more.
Osteopathic doctors, also called ODs, can work in diverse healthcare settings. They also receive an eye-watering annual salary.
We have handpicked the top osteopathic medical schools to help you time and energy.
Keep reading to learn more!
Osteopathic Medicine – What It Means
Approximately one in ten medical doctors in the United States of America is an OD (osteopathic doctor). But it will surprise you to know that most Americans don’t know that ODs exist.
OD (osteopathic doctor) or DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine) do exist. They even work in the same healthcare facilities as MDs (medical doctors).
The only thing missing from an osteopathic doctor’s name is the MD. An osteopath is a degree doctor and possesses a medical degree. But osteopaths’ medical education and treatment method separates them from medical doctors.
Osteopathic doctors use varied treatment methods to restore their patient’s health. They use a holistic medical approach to treat and care for their patients.
What is holistic medicine or approach? Another word for this treatment method is the whole-person approach. Osteopaths listen to their patients and partner with them to help improve their health.
Osteopathic Medical Training – What It Entails
Osteopathic doctors differ from medical doctors, not just in terms of training, but also in medical practice. However, both professionals can work in the same healthcare facilities.
An osteopath needs to be vast in knowledge about the human body. These include knowledge of various parts of the body, such as the interconnected system of nerves, musculoskeletal system, bones, and muscles.
What makes osteopathic doctors unique? Osteopathic doctors can give their patients all the benefit that modern medicine has to offer. They can give prescription drugs and even perform surgery.
Osteopaths can also use advanced medical technology to evaluate injuries, diagnose diseases, and provide the best primary care possible.
Note: Osteopaths’ duty does not only involve helping patients to become symptom-free. They also learn to help patients to build a healthy body, mind, and spirit.
How Osteopathic Doctors Treat Patients
Osteopaths use unique treatment methods to restore their patient’s health. They treat patients with their hands.
Osteopaths use a combination of hand movements (forceful and gentle hand movements) to make patients feel better health-wise.
Osteopaths also know when to refer patients to GPs or for further tests.
The following are treatment techniques used by osteopaths;
- Thrust
- Counter strain
- Articulation
- Muscle energy
Using the above treatment methods, osteopathic doctors can improve a patient’s body movement, reduce pain, and even increase blood circulation.
Again, two of the above treatment techniques might deliver the same results. It happens most times. In such a case, the osteopathic doctor has to choose one.
Osteopathic Medical School – What Is The Duration Of This Medical Program?
Osteopathic medicine has a pretty long duration. So it would help to know how long you’re going to spend in medical school before submitting your application.
With a Bachelor’s degree, you’ll only spend two years in an osteopathic medical school. After that, you’ll progress to your residency, which lasts for two years.
The residency is where you’ll gain clinical experience and receive hands-on practical training on the job.
In summary, if you already have a relevant Bachelor’s degree, you’ll only spend four years studying osteopathic medicine.
In the absence of a Bachelor’s degree, you’ll spend approximately eight years in an osteopathic medical school.
Osteopathic Physicians And Job Prospects
An osteopath’s medical career is vast, and job prospect makes it a bit more attractive profession.
There are jobs for osteopaths in the holistic health clinic, hospitals, and healthcare centers.
Here are job opportunities for osteopaths.
- Physician
- Medical director
- Resident
- Clinical instructor
- Staff physician
- Physician assistant
- Research assistant
- Resident physician
- Family practice physician
- Primary care physician
- Acute care physician
- Resident athletic trainer
- Assistant professor
Annual Salary Of Osteopathic Doctors
Osteopathic doctors receive eye-watering salary packages. Factors such as added skills, certification, education, and job experience can also boost their annual earnings.
As of the time of writing, osteopaths in the United State’s annual earning was $189,053. The salary range was within $148,638 and $244,591.
Top Osteopathic Medical Schools List
These are the best osteopathic medical schools across the globe. They have a good reputation and a high academic standard.
If you’re interested in becoming an osteopathic doctor, add these to your list of schools to attend.
1. Alabama College of Osteopathic medicine
There’s no denying that the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine is one of the top osteopathic medical schools globally.
ACOM is located in Dothan, Alabama, USA. In 2017, it graduated its first set of osteopathic medical students. Only 150 students get admitted into ACOM each year.
ACOM is a comprehensive private osteopathic medical school affiliated to the prestigious Southeast Alabama Medical Center, based in Dothan.
It operates a four years medical program, and the fulltime tuition fee is $55,440.
2. Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
It’s impossible to list top osteopathic medical schools globally without including the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM).
This school has a clear objective, which is to raise global-minded osteopaths. VCOM trains osteopathic doctors who will use their knowledge and experience to better the lives of underserved and rural communities.
VCOM is a private osteopathic medical college, with campuses scattered across various cities in the United States.
They have campuses at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Auburn, Alabama, Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Monroe Louisiana.
The exciting thing about joining VCOM is that students get accepted into the residency program of their choice without much hassle.
VCOM’s full-time tuition fee is $46,500.
3. Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
The famous Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM) is another top medical school worth the hype. MU-COM is located in Indianapolis, India.
In 2013, MU-COM admitted its first group of osteopathic medical students.
MU-COM is the first osteopathic school of medicine established at a Roman Catholic University.
So, if you’re seeking a catholic faith-based medical school to study osteopathic medicine, MU-COM is the perfect option for you. Additionally, it’s a not for profit and private osteopathic medical school.
An overwhelmingly large number of students apply to study osteopathic medicine at MU-COM, each year. But out of these numbers, only 162 are admitted into the program.
The residency acceptance rate is also high for MU-COM students.
Full-time tuition fee, on the other hand, is $50,400.
4. Victoria University, Australia
Situated in Melbourne, Australia, Victoria University are a public research and dual-sector tertiary institution. It offers courses in higher and technical education.
Established in 1916, Victoria University’s track record and penchant for academic excellence make it a wise destination to study osteopathic medicine.
Victoria University runs Bachelor’s, Master and Ph.D. degree programs in osteopathic medicine. And fulltime tuition fee is $48,790.
5. West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Here comes another leading osteopathic medical school in the United States. West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine boasts cutting-edge medical training facilities and can offer you quality training in osteopathic medicine.
West Virginia runs a four years program. Each student also gets a brand new laptop once accepted into the program.
But if you’re seeking a hassle-free osteopathic medical college to get into, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine isn’t for you. Its admission requirements and processes are stringent.
However, the full-time tuition fee is $49,950.
6. Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
If you’re seeking a Christian faith-based osteopathic medical school, Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) should be on your list.
Compared to most osteopathic medical schools on this list, Liberty University admits students without much hassle. With a GPA of 3.4 and a minimum of 497 MCAT, you can join LUCOM.
LUCOM’s tuition fee is also $23,500 per semester. But you can expect to pay $47,000 for both semesters.
7. The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Founded in 1978, the University of New England College Of Osteopathic Medicine is a top medical college with a solid reputation.
Students from this medical college secure residency of their choice with ease.
The UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine was established in Biddeford, Maine. And it’s the only medical school servicing the state of Maine. Their fulltime tuition fee is also $58,430.
Conclusion
Choosing the best osteopathic medical school is an excellent decision to make. You’ll receive proper medical training to build a successful medical career. The schools on this list have diverse tuition fees. So, if money is a concern, choose a medical college with a much lower tuition fee.
You May Like These Articles As Well:
CBD Oil and Mental Illness: 11 Benefits of Using CBD for Anxiety
How To Get Rid Of Numbness From Dentist
Structural Difference Between Arteries And Veins: Things You Need To Know
