American Osteopathic Association

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) is the representative professional membership organization serving over 151,000 osteopathic medical doctors and osteopathic medical students in the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the AOA is involved in post-graduate training for osteopathic physicians.

American Osteopathic Association

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) is a professional organization that represents osteopathic physicians (DOs) in the United States. Established in 1897, the AOA plays a central role in advancing the osteopathic medical profession, emphasizing a holistic approach to patient care and promoting the unique principles of osteopathic medicine.

History

The AOA was founded in 1897, a few decades after the establishment of the osteopathic profession by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. Its initial mission was to standardize and promote osteopathic education, training, and practice in the U.S.

Principles and Philosophy

The AOA and its members follow the osteopathic philosophy, which emphasizes:

• The interrelationship of the body's nerves, muscles, bones, and organs.
• The body's innate ability to heal itself.
• A whole-person approach to medicine, considering the patient's mind, body, and spirit.

Membership

The AOA has over 150,000 osteopathic physician members. Membership benefits include:

• Access to continuing medical education (CME).
• Advocacy at the federal and state levels.
• Certification through the AOA's board certification process.

Programs and Initiatives

• Osteopathic Medical Education: The AOA accredits osteopathic medical schools, ensuring they meet rigorous standards.
• Research: The AOA funds research to further the understanding of osteopathic principles and practices.
• Public Awareness: The AOA promotes awareness of the osteopathic profession to the public and policymakers.

Affiliations

The AOA collaborates with various healthcare organizations, medical schools, and government entities to promote and advance osteopathic medicine.

References

• "History of the American Osteopathic Association." American Osteopathic Association. [1]
• Gevitz, N. (2019). The DOs: Osteopathic Medicine in America. Johns Hopkins University Press.
• Johnson, S.M., & Kurtz, M.E. (2017). "Osteopathic Medical Education in the United States: Improving the Future of Medicine." Journal of Medical Education and Research.

American Osteopathic Association on Wikipedia

• Wikipedia's article on American Osteopathic Association

This article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by registering to expand it. Editing is available only to registered and verified users. WikiMD is a comprehensive, free health & wellness encyclopedia.