Measuring awareness, interest, and involvement in the osteopathic community through board certification: a survey of DO residents in ACGME-accredited training programs.
Currently, close to 50% of osteopathic medical graduates receive residency training from programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) rather than those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). As a result, leaders within the osteopathic medical profession have expressed ongoing concerns about the viability of the profession's distinct osteopathic identity. Using a one-page, 12-item survey, the authors queried ACGME-trained family practice residents (N=1354) regarding their interest in formal membership, continuing medical education activities, and specialty board certification options within the osteopathic medical profession. Four hundred twenty-six completed surveys were returned and usable for analysis for an overall response rate of 31.4%. A majority of survey participants indicated an interest "in continuing [their] osteopathic skills and training during residency" (376 [88.5%]), membership in osteopathic organizations and participating in continuing medical education programs (325 [77.2%]), and completing the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians certification examination (267 [63.7%]). Unfortunately, actual involvement may be limited by lack of communication or understanding, as in the case of lack of awareness regarding eligibility criteria for AOA board certification (311 [74.2%]). A variety of recommendations are offered to osteopathic organizations to improve involvement in and commitment to the profession among ACGME-trained DOs.
Scott
Shannon C
SC
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale, AZ, USA. sscott1@midwestern.edu
O'Connor
Elizabeth M
EM
Marlow
Robert A
RA
D000068:Accreditation; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D003625:Data Collection; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D010021:Osteopathic Medicine; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D013044:Specialty Boards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States