12 states record more than 100% growth in osteopathic physicians since 2005

The number of DOs in the United States has nearly quadrupled in the past 30 years, according to the AOA’s annual Osteopathic Medical Profession (OMP) Report.

The report documents the longitudinal impact of establishing new osteopathic medical schools in rural and underserved areas, notes Adrienne White-Faines, MPH, the CEO of the American Osteopathic Association.

“The osteopathic medical schools developed during the last decade are strategically located in areas where they can significantly improve the overall health of their communities,” White-Faines explains. “These institutions tend to attract local students who remain in the state after graduation, helping to mitigate regional physician shortages and ensure access to high-quality primary and specialty care in rural and underserved areas.”

Of the 12 states where the number of practicing DOs more than doubled over the past decade, seven are home to an osteopathic medical school: Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Oregon, North Carolina and Washington.

Other highlights of the OMP report include:

• Last year, 1 in 4 medical students attended an osteopathic medical school.
• 53% of DOs are age 45 or younger.
• Women comprised 48% of DOs in active practice for fewer than 10 years.
• 56% of DOs are primary care physicians practicing in family medicine, general medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics. The remaining 44% of DOs are specialists.
• Emergency medicine, anesthesiology, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery and psychiatry round out the top 5 practice specialties.

View the full report at osteopathic.org/OMPreport.