Omar Bennett
The first two years of osteopathic medical school focus on biomedical and clinical sciences, with the latter two years focusing on patient-oriented clinical training. Osteopathic medical schools require one year each of biological sciences, physics, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. Some schools are discipline-based, focusing on each science separately, while others allow students to learn through patient-based or problem-based learning. Many schools use a mix of methods. Applicants for admission to osteopathic schools must meet certain requirements, including a minimum GPA and completion of a bachelor's degree.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Accreditation status | Colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) hold provisional accreditation status during their first four years of student enrollment |
| Curriculum | Some are discipline-based, focusing on each science separately. Others allow students to learn through patient-based, or problem-based, learning. Many use a mix of methods. |
| Basic sciences | Osteopathic medical school starts with a foundation in the basic sciences of medicine. |
| Clinical skills | Students learn a core set of clinical and palpatory examination skills. |
| Understanding of body systems | Students gain an understanding of the various systems of the body. |
| Academic requirements | Applicants must have achieved a minimum 2.8 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) and a minimum 2.8 science GPA on a 4.0 scale. |
| Bachelor's degree | Applicants must have completed a Bachelor of Arts or Science from a US college or university accredited by a US Department of Education institutional accreditor. |
| Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) | Required for applicants. Examines knowledge and skill in areas such as biology, math, reading, and problem-solving. |
| Behavioral sciences | Many osteopathic medical colleges require or recommend behavioral sciences classes, including psychology, sociology, and anthropology. |
| Public health | Public health is considered a part of behavioral science requirements. |
| Letters of recommendation | Letters of recommendation are required and must speak to the applicant's potential as an osteopathic medical student. |
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What You'll Learn
Basic sciences of medicine
Osteopathic medical schools typically begin with a foundation in the basic sciences of medicine. The first two years of study focus on biomedical and clinical sciences, with the following two years delving into patient-oriented clinical training. While the specific learning methods and curricular offerings may vary, lectures, laboratories, and other learning experiences are designed to prepare students for the clinical portion of medical school.
The basic sciences of medicine cover a range of topics, including anatomy, biochemistry, embryology, microbiology, cell biology, immunology, neurobiology, pharmacology, and genetics. For example, anatomy courses teach the structure and function of the human body, including the composition and function principles of the nervous system. Biochemistry, a relatively new science, offers insight into the basics of life by studying cells, organelles, and molecules, as well as important biochemical compounds such as water, weak acids, amino acids, proteins, enzymes, and lipids.
Behavioral biology is another interdisciplinary aspect of the basic sciences, exploring how biology affects the mind and how the mind affects the body. This includes the study of molecular and behavioral genetics, neuroscience, endocrinology, human sexual behavior, and physiological diseases such as schizophrenia. Immunology is also crucial, helping students understand how the body naturally resists infection and toxins.
Additionally, pharmacology is an essential component of the basic sciences curriculum, teaching students about drug interactions and their effects on the body. This includes topics such as pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and specific pharmacology practices related to various types of drugs. Osteopathic medical schools also emphasize early clinical contact and may include training in internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, family practice, surgery, psychiatry, and more.
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Clinical and palpatory examination skills
Osteopathic medical schools emphasise early clinical contact. The first two years of the four-year curriculum focus on biomedical and clinical sciences, while the final two years concentrate on patient-oriented clinical training. Students are exposed to diverse healthcare settings, including in-hospital experiences, community hospitals, and out-of-hospital ambulatory settings. This early clinical exposure integrates basic and clinical sciences, preparing students for the clinical portion of medical school, known as the clinical clerkship years.
Clinical skills taught in osteopathic medical schools include building a patient history, performing physical examinations, structural examinations, and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). Additionally, students learn about physician-patient communication, interpersonal skills, and clinical decision-making. These skills are assessed through examinations like the COMLEX-USA Level 2-Performance Evaluation (Level 2-PE), which measures fundamental osteopathic clinical competencies.
Palpatory examination, or osteopathic palpation, is a specific skill set within the broader clinical examination framework. It involves the palpation of living and moving tissue, and osteopathic professionals use it for diagnosis and treatment. Despite the challenges in testing the accuracy of palpatory skills, studies have shown that clinical palpatory experience may lead to a measurable difference in accuracy. Osteopathic palpation is believed to be mediated by haptic perception, which involves active cutaneous and kinesthetic manual exploration.
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Understanding body systems
Osteopathic medicine schools offer a unique approach to medical education, emphasising the importance of understanding the body as a whole, integrated system. This involves studying the various body systems and their interconnected functions, which form the foundation of osteopathic principles and practice.
The human body is an intricate machine composed of numerous systems, each with specific roles that contribute to the overall functioning of the organism. These systems work in harmony to sustain life, maintain homeostasis, and ensure the body's survival and optimal performance. Understanding these systems is crucial for osteopathic students as it provides a foundation for clinical practice and patient care.
One of the key body systems is the skeletal system, which forms the structural framework of the body. It consists of bones, cartilage, joints, and ligaments, providing support and protection for our organs and tissues. The skeletal system can be divided into two parts: the axial skeleton, which includes the bones of the head and trunk, and the appendicular skeleton, comprising the bones of the limbs and associated pectoral and pelvic girdles.
Another vital system is the muscular system, which includes three types of muscles: smooth, cardiac, and skeletal. Smooth muscles line the walls of organs like the stomach and intestines, while cardiac muscles form the heart. Skeletal muscles, the only type under our conscious control, attach to bones and enable body movement.
The circulatory system, also known as the vascular system, is responsible for transporting blood throughout the body. It consists of the heart, blood, blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries), and plays a crucial role in delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells while removing waste products. The exchange of gases and nutrients occurs through capillary walls, with arteries carrying blood away from the heart and veins returning it.
Additionally, the digestive system, composed of the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, and intestines, is responsible for breaking down food into usable nutrients, absorbing them into the bloodstream, and eliminating waste. This system also includes the gastrointestinal tract, which absorbs nutrients and removes waste.
Understanding these body systems is fundamental to osteopathic medicine, providing a comprehensive framework for diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses and injuries. By grasping the intricacies of these systems, osteopathic students develop a holistic understanding of the human body, which is essential for their future clinical practice and patient care.
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Biomedical sciences
Osteopathic medical schools typically offer a variety of science classes that fall under the umbrella of biomedical sciences. These classes provide a foundation in the basic sciences of medicine and are designed to prepare students for the clinical aspects of their education. While specific curricula vary among institutions, there are several commonalities in terms of the classes offered and requirements.
In the context of osteopathic medical schools, biomedical sciences classes often serve as the cornerstone of the curriculum during the first two years of the program. These classes are designed to provide students with a strong scientific foundation before they advance to more patient-oriented clinical training in the latter half of their medical education.
The specific biomedical sciences classes offered can vary, but they typically include subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, pharmacology, and microbiology. These classes delve into the structure and function of the human body, the chemical and biological processes that occur within it, and the mechanisms of disease development and treatment. Additionally, osteopathic medical schools may offer classes that focus on specific body systems, such as cardiology, neurology, or immunology, allowing students to explore the unique aspects of each system and their role in health and disease.
While the curriculum may differ slightly between institutions, there are standard requirements for students pursuing osteopathic medicine. Osteopathic medical schools typically require applicants to have completed a bachelor's degree with a strong emphasis on the sciences. This includes a year each of biology, physics, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. Additionally, a minimum GPA requirement, typically around a 2.8 on a 4.0 scale, is often necessary for admission.
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Behavioral sciences
The first two years of osteopathic medical school focus on biomedical and clinical sciences, with the latter two years focusing on patient-oriented clinical training. While specific learning methods and curricular offerings vary across colleges, lectures, laboratories, and other learning experiences are designed to prepare students for the clinical portion of medical school. Osteopathic medical school starts with a foundation in the basic sciences of medicine, and students learn a core set of clinical and palpatory examination skills.
While the specific requirements for behavioral science courses may vary across osteopathic medical schools, it is generally recommended that applicants have a strong foundation in the behavioral sciences to prepare them for the clinical aspects of osteopathic medicine. In addition to behavioral sciences, other required courses for osteopathic medical school may include biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and English composition and literature.
It is important to note that some osteopathic medical schools may be more lenient in their classification of behavioral science courses, as long as the applicant has fulfilled the required number of credits in the field. However, it is always best to confirm with the individual school to ensure that any questionable courses will fulfill the requirement.
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Frequently asked questions
Osteopathic medical schools require one year each of biological sciences, physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and six semester hours of English.
Applicants must have achieved a minimum 2.8 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and a minimum 2.8 science GPA on a 4.0 scale. They must also have completed a Bachelor of Arts or Science from a US college or university accredited by a US Department of Education institutional accreditor.
The MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) examines knowledge and skill in areas such as biology, math, reading, and problem-solving. While it is required for applicants to ATSU-SOMA, it is not clear if it is required for all osteopathic schools.
While it is recommended that applicants take behavioural sciences classes, it is not clear if this is a requirement. Courses in psychology, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy are considered behavioural sciences.
Yes, the minimum GPA requirement is a 3.0 in science as well as a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
