A physician shows a spinal-manipulation technique at an osteopathic medical school.
David Ollier Weber writes, in Hospitals & Health Networks, about why now should be glory days for osteopathic physicians, among other reasons because they focus on the social determinants of health.
As he notes:
“This year marks the 125th anniversary of osteopathic medicine’s establishment as a structured discipline. More than 102,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs, or doctors of osteopathic medicine) practice alongside their 821,000 allopathic medical colleagues (MDs, or medical doctors) in every subspecialty — from pediatrics to cardiothoracic surgery — at clinics, hospitals and health systems throughout the nation.”
He writes that the “principles and practice of osteopathic medicine are fully aligned with the holistic, patient-centered care now valued in achieving the Triple Aim.”
He sees osteopaths as having a particular understanding of the social determinants of health because, in part “many osteopathic medical schools are in smaller towns, and many graduates, having gained experience in local clinics and hospitals, remain committed to treating rural, diverse and medically underserved communities.”
He writes that William Burke, D.O., dean and associate professor of family medicine at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens says that “about 60 percent of our graduates stay in the state to practice” and “nearly one-third are serving in federally designated HPSAs — health professional shortage areas. We produce primary care physicians when there is such a need.”
Dr. Burke says: “DOs have been leaders in adopting population health and quality measures. This is a generation that grew up with a device in their hand, but we’re teaching them how to avoid letting technology get in the way of relating with patients. Our philosophy of mind, body and spirit means we think of you as someone not just complaining of back pain but as a whole person.”
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