American Osteopathic Association

Last updated
American Osteopathic Association
AbbreviationAOA
FormationApril 19, 1897 (1897-04-19)
Type Professional association
Headquarters Chicago, Illinois
Location
Coordinates 41°53′39″N87°37′08″W / 41.8942°N 87.6190°W / 41.8942; -87.6190
Official language
English
President
Ira P. Monka, DO [1]
CEO
Kathleen S. Creason, MBA [2]
Website osteopathic.org

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) is the representative member organization for the more than 176,000 osteopathic medical doctors (D.O.s) and osteopathic medical students in the United States. The AOA is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and is involved in post-graduate training for osteopathic physicians. Beginning in 2015, it began accrediting post-graduate education as a committee within the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, creating a unified accreditation system for all DOs and MDs in the United States. The organization promotes public health, encourages academic scientific research, serves as the primary certifying body for D.O.s overseeing 18 certifying boards, [3] and is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools through its Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation. As of October 2015, the AOA no longer owns the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP), which accredited hospitals and other health care facilities.

Contents

The AOA has held yearly conventions since its founding in 1897. [4] The AOA also manages DOCARE International, a non-profit charitable organization. The AOA also publishes The DO , an online publication, and The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association , a peer reviewed medical journal.

History

The association was founded as the American Association for the Advancement of Osteopathy on April 19, 1897, [5] in Kirksville, Missouri, by students of the American School of Osteopathy specifically Andrew Taylor Still. [6] [7] It was renamed the American Osteopathic Association in 1901. [7]

In September 1901, the AOA began to publish a scientific journal entitled the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association . Subscriptions were offered to AOA members, and at the time, membership fees were $5 annually. [8] The journal was published bimonthly for the first year, then monthly thereafter. In 1903, the AOA conducted the first accreditation survey of osteopathic medical schools. [9] Three years later, the American Medical Association conducted its first accreditation survey of US MD-granting medical schools. [9] In April 1927, the AOA began publishing The Forum of Osteopathy, a monthly magazine that covered news relating to osteopathic medicine, the AOA, and related groups. [8] In September 1960, the magazine was renamed The DO .

In the early 1900s, the AOA, citing concerns about safety and efficacy, was opposed to the introduction of pharmacology into the curriculum of osteopathic medicine. However, in 1929 the AOA board of trustees voted to allow the teaching of pharmacology in D.O. schools. [9] By 1938, the AOA began requiring that osteopathic medical students have at least 1 year of undergraduate college coursework, and by 1940, the AOA required two years. [9] In 1943, the AOA founded the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP), an organization that accredits hospitals and other health care facilities. [10]

In 1957, the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare recognized the AOA as the official accrediting body for osteopathic medical education. In 1967, the National Commission on Accrediting (currently the Council for Higher Education Accreditation) recognized the AOA as the official accrediting agency for all aspects of osteopathic medical education. [11] The Department of Health, Education and Welfare (currently the Department of Health and Human Services) recognized the AOA as the official accrediting body for osteopathic hospitals under Medicare in 1966. In October 2015, the AOA sold the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program to the Accreditation Association for Hospitals/Health Systems. [12] [10] [13] [14] [15] [16]

In 2016, a group of D.O. physicians filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the AOA (Talone et al. v. The American Osteopathic Association), contesting the requirement for physicians to purchase AOA membership as a condition of AOA board certification. [17] [18] In 2018, the AOA and physicians reached a $35 million settlement agreement. [18] As a part of the settlement, the AOA agreed to end its policy of requiring physicians to purchase AOA membership in order to receive AOA board certification. [18] [19] The settlement was finalized in 2019. [20]

In 2021, the AOA filed a lawsuit against the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The lawsuit was directed at the ABIM policy requiring program directors to be board certified by the ABIM in order for graduates of that residency to be eligible for ABIM board certification. [21]

The AOA supports the annual "D.O. Day on Capitol Hill," where more than 1,000 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) and osteopathic medical students go to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of congress to discuss current issues in health care, such as access to care challenges. [22] The event serves as an opportunity for legislators to learn more about health care and osteopathic medicine and for medical students to become more familiar with the political process.

Osteopathic post-graduate education

The AOA also provides funding for post-graduate osteopathic medical residencies. [23] In the 2017 match, more than 2,200 osteopathic physicians matched into these residency programs. [24] In February, 2014, the AOA and AACOM decided to join with ACGME to form a unified post-graduate accreditation system.

Publications

The American Osteopathic Association publishes The DO, an online publication [25] covering news related to osteopathic medicine, legislation, health care changes, and osteopathic continuing medical education programs. [26]

The AOA also publishes The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association , a monthly peer-reviewed medical journal focusing on original research and editorial articles.

DOCARE International

DOCARE International is a non-profit medical charity serving remote areas of the Western Hemisphere. [27] DOCARE International primarily operates in the Caribbean, Africa, South America, and Central America. [27] DOCARE is operated by the American Osteopathic Association, and consists of osteopathic physicians, osteopathic medical students, M.D. physicians, and other healthcare professionals. [28]

See also

Related Research Articles

Osteopathic medicine is a branch of the medical profession in the United States that promotes the practice of science-based medicine, often referred to in this context as allopathic medicine, with a set of philosophy and principles set by its earlier form, osteopathy. Osteopathic physicians (DOs) are graduates of American osteopathic medical colleges and are licensed to practice the full scope of medicine and surgery in all 50 US states. The field is distinct from osteopathic practices offered in nations outside of the U.S., whose practitioners are generally not considered part of core medical staff nor of medicine itself, but rather are alternative medicine practitioners. The other major branch of medicine in the United States is referred to by practitioners of osteopathic medicine as allopathic medicine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Residency (medicine)</span> Postgraduate medical training

Residency or postgraduate training is a stage of graduate medical education. It refers to a qualified physician, veterinarian, dentist, podiatrist (DPM) or pharmacist (PharmD) who practices medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, podiatry, or clinical pharmacy, respectively, usually in a hospital or clinic, under the direct or indirect supervision of a senior medical clinician registered in that specialty such as an attending physician or consultant. In many jurisdictions, successful completion of such training is a requirement in order to obtain an unrestricted license to practice medicine, and in particular a license to practice a chosen specialty. In the meantime, they practice "on" the license of their supervising physician. An individual engaged in such training may be referred to as a resident, registrar or trainee depending on the jurisdiction. Residency training may be followed by fellowship or sub-specialty training.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) is the body responsible for accrediting all graduate medical training programs for physicians in the United States. It is a non-profit private council that evaluates and accredits medical residency and internship programs.

The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, self-appointed physician-evaluation organization that certifies physicians practicing internal medicine and its subspecialties. The American Board of Internal Medicine is not a membership society, educational institution, or licensing body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kansas City University</span> Osteopathic medical school and health sciences university

Kansas City University (KCU) is a private medical school with its main campus in Kansas City, Missouri and an additional campus in Joplin, Missouri. Founded in 1916, KCU is one of the original osteopathic medical schools in the United States. It consists of both a College of Osteopathic Medicine and a College of Biosciences. KCU is one of the largest medical schools in the nation by enrollment.

Most physicians in the United States hold either the Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) or the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO). Institutions awarding the MD are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). Institutions awarding the DO are accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). The World Directory of Medical Schools lists both LCME accredited MD programs and COCA accredited DO programs as US medical schools. Foreign-trained osteopaths do not hold DO degrees and are not recognized as physicians in the United States or in other jurisdictions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine</span> Medical school based in New York state

The New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYIT-COM) is a private medical school located primarily in Old Westbury, New York. It also has a degree-granting campus in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Founded in 1977, NYIT-COM is an academic division of the New York Institute of Technology. Formerly the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, it is one of the largest medical schools in the United States.

Maintenance of Certification (MOC) is a recently implemented and controversial process of physician certification maintenance through one of the 24 approved medical specialty boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the 18 approved medical specialty boards of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). The MOC process is controversial within the medical community, with proponents claiming that it is a voluntary program that improves physician knowledge and demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning. Critics claim that MOC is an expensive, burdensome, involuntary and clinically irrelevant process that has been created primarily as a money-making scheme for the ABMS and the AOA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine</span> American medical school

Rocky Vista University (RVU) is a private, for-profit medical school with campus locations in Parker, Colorado and Ivins, Utah. The school opened in 2006 as the only modern for-profit medical school in the United States although other for-profit schools have since opened. RVU's College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) grants the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree and admitted its inaugural class of medical students at the Parker, Colorado campus in August 2008.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is a medical degree conferred by medical schools in the United States. DO and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees are equivalent: a DO graduate may become licensed as a physician or surgeon and thus have full medical and surgical practicing rights in all 50 US states. As of 2021, there were 168,701 osteopathic physicians and medical students in DO programs across the United States. Osteopathic medicine emerged historically from osteopathy, but has become a distinct profession.

Skagit Valley Hospital is a 137-bed public hospital located in Mt. Vernon, in the US State Washington. The hospital operates a level 3 trauma center. Founded in 1958, the hospital was organized as a Public District operating in Skagit Valley Public Hospital District #1. The hospital operates two osteopathic residency programs, in internal medicine and family medicine. The hospital is operated by Skagit Regional Health, which is partnered with the Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington.

The Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) is a not-for-profit organization meant to help healthcare organizations maintain their standards in patient care and comply with regulations and the healthcare environment. Headquartered in Chicago, HFAP is an accreditation organization with authority from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine</span> Osteopathic medical school of Michigan State University

The Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) is one of the two public medical schools of Michigan State University, a public land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan. The college grants the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree, as well as a DO-PhD combined degree for students interested in training as physician-scientists. MSUCOM operates two satellite campuses in Clinton Township and Detroit. The college is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and by the Higher Learning Commission.

In 2006, hospice and palliative medicine was officially recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, and is co-sponsored by the American Boards of

The American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine (AOBPM) is an organization that provides board certification to qualified Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) who specialize in aiding patients in the prevention of injury or disease. The board is one of 18 physician medical specialty boards of the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). The AOBPM was established in 1982 by approval by the Board of Trustees of the American Osteopathic Association. The AOBPM provides board certification for eligible physicians. Additionally, along with fellows of the American Board of Preventive Medicine, fellows of the American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine are eligible to become fellows of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. As of December 2011, 176 osteopathic physicians held active membership with the AOBPM.

The American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry (AOBNP) is an organization that provides board certification to qualified Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) and physicians who specialize in disorders of the nervous system (neurologists) and to qualified Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine and physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders (psychiatrists).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology</span>

The American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology (AOBA) is an organization that provides board certification to qualified Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) and physicians who specialize in the administration of anesthetic agents and perioperative medicine (anesthesiologists). The board is one of 16 medical specialty certifying boards of the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and was established in 1956.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Alan Bell</span> American physician

Peter Alan Bell, DO, MBA, FACOEP-dist, FACEP is an American osteopathic physician. He is the current Vice Provost and Dean at Baptist College of Health Sciences, now known as Baptist Health Sciences University in Memphis, TN. Additionally, Bell is nationally known for his continued work on health policy reform and the impact of health policy on the medical profession. Finally, Bell has served as president of the Ohio Osteopathic Association (OOA) and the National President of The American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP).

California Health Sciences University (CHSU) is a private, for-profit university located in Clovis, in the U.S. state of California. Founded in 2012, the school operates two academic programs, which offer doctoral degrees in pharmacy and osteopathic medicine. Graduates of the College of Osteopathic Medicine will receive the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. The College of Osteopathic Medicine is fully pre-accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).

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References

  1. ↑ "About Us: Leadership & Policy". American Osteopathic Association.
  2. ↑ "AOA Interim Chief Executive Officer: Kathleen S. Creason, MBA". American Osteopathic Association. AOA.
  3. ↑ "American Osteopathic Association Names Daniel Williams, DO, Vice President of Certifying Board Services". American Osteopathic Association. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  4. ↑ "Annual Conventions and Meetings of the AOA". AOA. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  5. ↑ Mullner, Ross M (20 May 2009). Encyclopedia of Health Services Research. SAGE. ISBN   9781412951791 – via Google.
  6. ↑ Macauley, DB (June 1897). "Organization of Osteopaths" (PDF). Journal of Osteopathy : 76–78. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  7. 1 2 Gevitz, Norman (March 2014). "The "Doctor of Osteopathy": Expanding the Scope of Practice". The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 114 (3): 200–212. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2014.038 . PMID   24567273. S2CID   34932814.
  8. 1 2 "Publications Communicate Osteopathic Theory and Practice". American Osteopathic Association. 2006. Archived from the original on 16 May 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Gevitz, Norman (June 2009). "The transformation of osteopathic medical education". Academic Medicine. 84 (6): 701–6. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0b013e3181a4049e . PMID   19474540.
  10. 1 2 "About Us". HFAP.
  11. ↑ "COMMISSION ON OSTEOPATHIC COLLEGE ACCREDITATION" (PDF). State of New Jersey.
  12. ↑ "Longtime accrediting organization to keep its name, continue to expand". HC Pro. Simplify Compliance. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Outlook". mail.nyumc.org.
  14. ↑ "Medicare Hospital Compare Glossary". Hospitalcompare.hhs.gov. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  15. ↑ "42 CFR 488.5 - Effect of JCAHO or AOA accreditation of hospitals. | LII / Legal Information Institute". Law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  16. ↑ "PA AOA-Accredited Institutions & OPTIs". Poma.org. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  17. ↑ George, John (Aug 2, 2016). "Class-action lawsuit filed against American Osteopathic Association over membership fees". Philadelphia Business Journal.
  18. 1 2 3 George, John (July 30, 2018). "AOA & its physician members settle class-action lawsuit". Philadelphia Business Journal.
  19. ↑ "American Osteopathic Association details settlement agreement in class-action lawsuit". American Osteopathic Association. 27 July 2018.
  20. ↑ Staff Writer (January 15, 2019). "Settlement finalized in AOA class action lawsuit". The DO.
  21. ↑ AOA Staff (January 7, 2021). "AOA files suit against ABIM".
  22. ↑ Mercer Morrison (April 3, 2012). "WCUCOM students participate in D.O. Day on Capitol Hill". WDAM. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  23. ↑ "Family Medicine Top Specialty for Future Osteopathic Physicians". The Business Journals. February 13, 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  24. ↑ "AOA Intern/Resident Registration Program: Results of the 2017 Match" . Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  25. ↑ "American Osteopathic Association - AOA". U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  26. ↑ "Health Information Resource Database". National Health Information Resource Center. 16 December 2011. Archived from the original on 13 January 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  27. 1 2 Gougian, Rachel; Berkowitz, Murray (October 2014). "Gray Zone: Why a Delayed Acceptance of Osteopathic Medicine Persists in the International Community". The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 114 (10): 754–760. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2014.145 . PMID   25288706.
  28. ↑ Ajluni, Peter B. (December 2007). "Do care about DOCARE" (PDF). The DO . Retrieved 25 September 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
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