Osteopathic Medical Education Playing a Growing Role in Expanding Healthcare Access

Mark White | The Mark White Show

Credit: WesternU

Bethesda, Maryland - Access to routine healthcare is becoming increasingly difficult for many Americans, particularly in rural and underserved communities. As demand for everyday and preventive care continues to rise, the number of available healthcare providers has not kept pace. One growing area of medicine is working to help close that gap: osteopathic medical education.

Dr. Robert Cain, President and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), recently joined The Mark White Show to discuss the expanding role osteopathic physicians are playing in meeting healthcare needs across the United States.

Osteopathic medicine, Dr. Cain explained, is distinct in both its philosophy and its training model. “We teach a patient-focused mindset that emphasizes whole-person care,” he said. “That means paying attention to the mind, body, and spirit of the person sitting in front of you, not just the symptoms.”

In addition to traditional medical training, osteopathic students learn about the musculoskeletal system and how it contributes to overall health. This includes training in hands-on techniques that can be used to treat certain conditions and support the body’s ability to heal itself.

Equally important, according to Dr. Cain, is where osteopathic students are trained. Many colleges of osteopathic medicine are located in rural or underserved areas, and students often complete their clinical training in the same types of communities where physicians are most needed.

“We train students in the communities where we want them to practice,” Dr. Cain said. “When students learn and build relationships in these areas, they are more likely to stay and serve those populations.”

Osteopathic medical education is currently the fastest-growing segment of medical education in the country. In 1999, there were 19 osteopathic medical school campuses nationwide. As of this year, AACOM has approved its 73rd campus. The total number of practicing osteopathic physicians, residents, and medical students combined has now surpassed 200,000.

A recent national impact study commissioned by AACOM highlights the workforce and economic contributions of osteopathic medical schools. According to the study, more than half of osteopathic graduates enter primary care fields, while approximately 75 percent go into high-need specialties such as psychiatry, obstetrics, general surgery, and emergency medicine.

The study also found that about 40 percent of graduates from an osteopathic medical school remain in the state where they trained, strengthening local healthcare systems. In rural and underserved areas, these physicians can make a measurable difference in access to care.

Beyond healthcare delivery, osteopathic medical schools also contribute significantly to local economies. On average, each new college of osteopathic medicine generates approximately 700 jobs, including faculty physicians who often provide clinical services in the community. In some cases, the presence of these professionals has helped remove underserved designations from certain areas.

For students considering a career in medicine, Dr. Cain said osteopathic education may be especially appealing to those with a service-oriented mindset.

“Osteopathic medicine is about becoming a physician servant,” he said. “It’s not just about treating patients, but about embedding yourself in a community and making a lasting difference.”

Those interested in learning more about osteopathic medical education, including the full workforce and economic impact report, can visit AACOM’s website at aacom.org.

Dr. Cain emphasized that as healthcare challenges continue to grow nationwide, osteopathic physicians will play an increasingly important role in providing accessible, patient-centered care for communities across the country.