this resolution was defeated at SOMA spring convention 2010.
1. WHEREAS, According to a study conducted by the AOA in 20001, only 11% of Americans recognize the DO degree designation. Although more may recognize it today, one can reasonably expect that the percentage continues to be in the minority, and
2. WHEREAS, Numerous other healthcare providers who are not fully licensed physicians are now designated “doctor,” including NMDs, DNPs, DPTs, DPMs, DCs, and ODs, and
3. WHEREAS, Other countries (such as Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom) issue a DO degree that stands for “Diploma in Osteopathy,” and those who are granted this degree are limited manual medicine practitioners instead of fully licensed physicians. These similar degrees are confusing for everyone in the global medical community, and
4. WHEREAS, Patients would be better served if the osteopathic degree were universally recognized as legitimate. Some people may refuse treatment, assuming that the DO degree is not a medical degree, and in many countries, people may not be able to legally access treatment by DOs simply because they are not MDs. If just one patient is missed because of these discrepancies, that is one patient too many, and
5. WHEREAS, The time, effort, and money spent lobbying for unlimited practice rights in foreign countries2 and unambiguous recognition by the media3 and general public4 in the United States could be better spent promoting our unique “patient-centered model of care”5 if we had a more discernible degree designation, and
6. WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians and students face unwarranted professional discrimination6 due to misunderstanding over what it means to be an osteopathic physician. Examples of such disparities include fewer research opportunities than at allopathic institutions, exclusion from some residency programs, the imposition of limited practice rights in some countries (only about 50 out of 195 countries grant DOs full practice rights)7, and other boundaries that separate us needlessly from MDs, regardless of the AOA’s sincere attempts to eliminate these barriers, and
7. WHEREAS, Osteopathic physicians practice traditional medicine (like MDs), with the additional valuable resource of osteopathic manipulative treatment and emphasis on important osteopathic tenets8 (which have also become accepted by many in the allopathic medical community)9 rather than pure osteopathy, meaning “disease of the bones,” as the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree suggests, and
8. WHEREAS, The title "Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine” may mislead patients because it suggests that all DOs subspecialize in treating bone diseases as opposed to treating the whole person, which is our true goal, and
9. WHEREAS, The specifically osteopathic component of our education is approximately equivalent to the training of those who hold a Diploma in Osteopathy degree in other countries10, and
10. WHEREAS, Maintaining “DO” in our degree designation would respect our legacy while limiting confusion for those who do recognize the DO degree. Most Americans would probably not notice if the “D” were changed from “Doctor” to “Diploma” and people in the international community would already be familiar with the Diploma in Osteopathy degree, and
11. WHEREAS, Modern osteopathic medicine is a completion of traditional (MD-granting) medicine, not an alternative to it, and
12. WHEREAS, MDs who wish to learn osteopathic manipulative treatment and fully embrace our philosophy presently have no standard way to do so; at the AOA’s discretion, the revival of the “Diploma in Osteopathy” could lead to the creation of separate diploma programs in osteopathy with the goal of training MDs, and
13. WHEREAS, The addition of the universally recognizable MD degree to our credentials would significantly improve our ability to disseminate the osteopathic philosophy worldwide, especially among allopathic institutions, thereby reaffirming the original DO degree (Diplomate of Osteopathy, as created by A.T. Still)11 and securing its continued existence and use, and
14. WHEREAS, Despite years of the AOA advocating for semantic clarity, there is still confusion over whether we are Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine or Doctors of Osteopathy,12 and calling ourselves “Doctor of Medicine, Diplomate of Osteopathy” would resolve this linguistic conundrum, and
15. WHEREAS, A dual MD, DO, Doctor of Medicine, Diploma in Osteopathy degree would properly convey that osteopathic physicians not only possess similar medical training to our allopathic counterparts, but also have the additional knowledge of osteopathic principles and practice13 and
16. WHEREAS, The implementation of such a dual degree would, by default, discourage any COMs from choosing to offer separate MD-granting pathways at the expense of the osteopathic community14, and
17. WHEREAS, The more effective communication of osteopathic physicians’ extensive training by use of the dual degree designation has the potential for being crucial to preserving the osteopathic family’s autonomy. A dual MD, DO degree could prevent inappropriate associations between osteopathic physicians and limited-practice professionals15 by making it easier for the AOA to educate the MD-conscious public about the many
benefits of osteopathic principles and practice, thereby giving all osteopathic physicians the universal recognition that they rightfully deserve, and
benefits of osteopathic principles and practice, thereby giving all osteopathic physicians the universal recognition that they rightfully deserve, and
18. WHEREAS, With the aid of the internet, polling the osteopathic community on this issue would be relatively straightforward and cost-effective, and
19. WHEREAS, Conducting a poll regarding degree designation possibilities would help the AOA to determine what the majority of osteopathic physicians and students think about degree change, allowing the AOA to make an informed decision that brings closure to this recurring issue, therefore be it
20. RESOLVED, That the AOA will explore the possible creation of a dual MD, DO degree (Doctor of Medicine, Diploma in Osteopathy) to replace the current DO degree. Within one year of this resolution’s passing, the AOA will conduct a poll of osteopathic medical students and physicians who are AOA members about keeping the current DO degree or changing it to the proposed MD, DO degree, in the tradition of A.T. Still. A committee consisting of both osteopathic medical students and physicians will be established to oversee and evaluate the polling process and to investigate the logistics of degree change. If a simple majority of osteopathic physicians and students vote to change the degree to MD, DO, then the AOA will officially recommend to all COMs that the degree be changed, and will support and facilitate the process of changing the degree in an efficient manner. Current DOs and OMSs may opt to either maintain the present DO degree or accept the new MD, DO degree. COMs may preserve their identities as “Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.”
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REFERENCES
1. Corry, C. “The unknown healers.” AllBusiness.com. 4 Feb 2000. http://www.allbusiness.com/north-america/united-states-new-york/891988-1.html Accessed on 3 Nov 09.
2. “AOA international licensure summary.” Do-online.org. 2009. http://portal.doonline.org/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=709&&activetab=TabCTRL_DropDownTabsMandatoryTABS4&mode=2&in_hi_userid=984567&cached=true&in_hi_userid=1027509 Accessed 10 Dec 09.
3. “Advocacy tips and templates.” Do-online.org. 2009. http://portal.doonline.org/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=596&PageID=1024404&cached=true&mode=2&userID=1023654 Accessed 10 Dec 09.
4. “What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.).” AOA. 2010. http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=ado_whatis Accessed 23 Jan 10.
5. Crosby, JB. “Continuity of thought and tradition in the discipline supported by ongoing AOA efforts.” J Am Osteopath Assoc. Apr 2006; 106(4):178-9.
6. Deloss, J. Osteopathic Injustice. 2009-2010. http://www.osteopathicinjustice.com/ Accessed 23 Jan 10.
7. “International practice rights for osteopathic physicians.” AACOM. 2009. http://www.aacom.org/InfoFor/phadvisors/Pages/IntlPracticeRights.aspx Accessed 3 Nov 09.
8. Rogers FJ, D'Alonzo GE Jr, Glover JC, Korr IM, Osborn GG, Patterson MM, Seffinger MA, Taylor TE, & Willard F. “Proposed tenets of osteopathic medicine and principles for patient care.” J Am Osteopath Assoc. Feb 2002; 102(2):63-5.
9. Howell, JD. “The paradox of osteopathy.” NEJM. Nov 1999; 341(19):1465-1468.
10. “Academic program.” Collège d'Études Ostéopathiques. 2007. http://www.osteopathie-canada.ca/ENGLISH/academic_program.htm Accessed 2 Dec 09.
11. “Education and Family Established.” Osteopathic Virtual Museum. 2006. http://history.osteopathic.org/educate.shtml Accessed 23 Jan 10.
12. Wickless, LA. “Answers about degrees conferred by osteopathic medical colleges and osteopathic medicine/physician terminology.” AOA President’s Blog. 8 Dec 09. http://blogs.do-online.org/aoapresident.php?blogid=3 Accessed 10 Dec 09.
13. Brown, D. “Osteopathic college set to break ground.” Spartanburg Herald-Journal. 17 Mar 10. http://www.goupstate.com/article/20100225/ARTICLES/2251045/1083/?p=1&tc=pg Accessed 17 Mar 10.
14. Crosby, JB. “Opposition to TCOM’s MD Option.” AOA Daily Report Blog. 12 Feb 09. http://blogs.do-online.org/dailyreport.php?itemid=20951 Accessed 17 Jan 10.
15. “OPSC Pursues Osteopathic License Autonomy.” Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of California. http://www.opsc.org/displayindustryarticle.cfm?articlenbr=41050&startrec=1 Accessed 17 Jan 10.
It is commendable that these students and doctors tried to improve the marketing brand of our profession. Time, energy and research were put into this resolution. They followed a formal process of debate guidelines of AOA.
ReplyDelete"we must be the change we wish to see" Gandhi
There has been a lot of discussion regarding the osteopathic degree in the past few years. Of any of the proposed changes (MDO, DOM, MD DO, etc.), with the exception of keeping the original "DO", the "MD, DO" has the most thought and meaning behind it. I think it identifies our traditional medical training, confirms our unique osteopathic philosophies, and also has a historical significance as it was AT Still who carried this first title: "AT Still, MD, DO". While I am not proposing a change, if the osteopathic degree does evolve, than I would argue that this is the best choice. --"MichiganDO"
ReplyDeleteI think that we MUST change the degree to MD, DO in order to reflect the training we receive and attain true parity in the eyes of collegues and patients.
ReplyDeleteFlorida DO
The 19 "WHERE AS" statements make total sense and I wholeheartedly agree. I don't understand why this resolution was defeated last year. I pray that this matter will be brought up once again during this spring convention. This issue must be passed for the 19 valid reasons stated above. This is for the sake of better acceptance and practice of osteopathic medicine.
ReplyDelete- 1st year DO student
The 8th "WHEREAS" statement tells the most important problem. Our title "Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine" is literally stating that we are doctors of only one scope of medicine (musculoskeletal). The World English Dictionary defines osteopathy as "a system of healing based on the manipulation of bones or other parts of the body." Over time, the term "osteopathic" has come to describe a treatment basis using a whole person approach. However, the literal meaning of the word (despite what the tenets of osteopathy may say) is limiting in the scope of medicine. We are being unjust to ourselves to use this self-limiting title. We put forth the effort to learn the full scope of traditional medicine and beyond that. It is time that we are recognized for that to avoid confusion from patients. The title "MD, DO" is the best way to express to the public that we are the physicians who take a whole person approach and are trained in the most diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. It simply states what training at Osteopathic medical schools has become: a traditional medical curriculum with osteopathic manipulative medicine integrated into that structure. I hope that this proposal is put forward at this years convention with even stronger vigor than last year. It is for the good of patients, ourselves, and the rest of the medical community.
ReplyDeleteThis proposal should be brought up each year to these old aging AOA "Boneheads". The DO degree should have been changed several years ago, but these stubborn dogmatic DOs are unwilling to do so. I hope this gets passed this year and voting for all current U.S. DOs and DO medical students to vote on it soon after.
ReplyDelete-MDDO
I think we should style the degree as MD DO and even if people think it's like earning to degrees, McGill's Allopathic programme is a MD CM degree programme (Medicinæ Doctorem et Chirurgiæ Magistrum).
ReplyDeleteDr. MD,DO:
ReplyDeleteWe are living in a democracy, which may not be the perfect one, but it is still the best in the world. Mahatma Ganhdi said "We must become the change we want to see." So get involved to make positive evolution. We have the luxury of voting right, which the majority of us dont care to exercise. Most part of the world, people are willing to die and die to make their voices heard.
The authors of the resolution did a supberb job of analysing and presentation. Their efforts and courage are commendable.
There are some positions that DOs do not agree with AOA as most MDs do not agree with AMA. However, AOA has been a strong and main advocate for DOs right of practice,parity under the law and with our big sister/borther AMA. DO and MD professions have recognized the parity of each other' training, we should focus on the scope of practice expension of other non-physician professions.