DOs and osteopathic medical students are more than 178K strong, an all-time high

According to the latest Osteopathic Medical Profession (OMP) report, the growth of osteopathic medicine continues to be strong. In the 2022-23 academic year, approximately 36,500 osteopathic medical students are attending DO schools, an all-time high.

Over the last decade, the number of students attending osteopathic medical schools has grown by 77%, leading to an overall increase in the total number of DOs and osteopathic medical students in the U.S. of 81%. This increase brings the total number of DOs and students to over 178,000 across the country, another all-time high.

Each year, the AOA produces the OMP Report to track expansion and growth within the osteopathic medical profession and examine demographics and trends related to DOs and osteopathic medical students. The report is published each July to align with the AOA annual business meeting.

Growing number of trainees, young DOs

Approximately 36,500 osteopathic medical students are learning at 38 colleges of osteopathic medicine, according to the AOA’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). More than one in four of all U.S. medical students choose to pursue osteopathic medicine. As more medical students choose osteopathic programs, the demographic makeup of the profession continues to evolve.

More than 82,000 DOs practicing in the U.S. are younger than 45, representing over two-thirds of the profession; there are over 141,000 DOs in the U.S. Additionally, more females are choosing to become DOs; over the last decade, the number of female DOs has risen by 18% and is expected to continue growing.

Specialty breakdown

Over half of the nation’s DOs currently in practice are in primary care specialties such as family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics while the remainder provide care in specialties like emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery and many more.

Osteopathic medical schools comprised of all of the top five and eight of the top ten spots on the U.S. News & World Report list of medical schools with the most graduates practicing in primary care. Overall, 24 osteopathic medical schools were ranked in the top 50 schools on the list. DO schools were also featured prominently in the publication’s list of medical schools with the most graduates providing direct patient care in rural areas, showing the osteopathic profession’s commitment to underserved populations.

Where DOs practice

While DOs practice medicine in all 50 states, half of DOs practice in eight states: California, Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan, New York, Texas, Ohio and New Jersey. Rounding out the top ten states for DOs are Illinois and Arizona.