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Osteopathic Medicine in an International Context
The practice of osteopathic medicine outside of the United States varies. In
many countries, osteopathic physicians have full practice rights, as DOs have in
the United States. However, only in the U.S. are DOs trained as physicians.
Outside the U.S. DO training is concentrated on OMM and practice rights are
typically limited to manipulation. The most up-to-date information on this is
available from the Osteopathic International Alliance (www.oialliance.org) and
the American Osteopathic Association
(www.osteopathic.org). Specificinformation about Canadian osteopathic medical
practice is available from the Canadian Osteopathic Association
(www.osteopathic.ca).
Admissions policies at U.S. osteopathic medical colleges vary with regard to
applicants who are neither U.S. citizens nor hold perma-nent resident status in
the United States. Each college’s listing in this book indicates whether it will
consider applicants who are not U.S. citizens. Prospective applicants to
osteopathic medical colleges should consider that in the typically seven-plus
years between entering medical school and going into practice, the conditions
and regulations on practice outside the United States may change significantly.
Prospective osteopathic physicians who are interested in participating in
overseas medical mission and volunteer work will not encounter difficulties –
participation in such programs is generally arranged by the spon-soring
organization, and U.S. physicians— both DOs and MDs—have practice rights
extended to them while participating in such programs. Many osteopathic colleges
sponsor such programs, which may be open to participation by their students,
faculty, and alumni.
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