Measuring awareness, interest, and involvement in the osteopathic community through board certification: a survey of DO residents in ACGME-accredited training programs.

Abstract

Currently, close to 50% of osteopathic medical graduates receive residency training from programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) rather than those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). As a result, leaders within the osteopathic medical profession have expressed ongoing concerns about the viability of the profession's distinct osteopathic identity. Using a one-page, 12-item survey, the authors queried ACGME-trained family practice residents (N=1354) regarding their interest in formal membership, continuing medical education activities, and specialty board certification options within the osteopathic medical profession. Four hundred twenty-six completed surveys were returned and usable for analysis for an overall response rate of 31.4%. A majority of survey participants indicated an interest "in continuing [their] osteopathic skills and training during residency" (376 [88.5%]), membership in osteopathic organizations and participating in continuing medical education programs (325 [77.2%]), and completing the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians certification examination (267 [63.7%]). Unfortunately, actual involvement may be limited by lack of communication or understanding, as in the case of lack of awareness regarding eligibility criteria for AOA board certification (311 [74.2%]). A variety of recommendations are offered to osteopathic organizations to improve involvement in and commitment to the profession among ACGME-trained DOs.