CHICAGO – March 29, 2016 – The American Osteopathic Association and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine today announced commitments from 27 colleges of osteopathic medicine to improve prescriber education as part of the profession’s efforts to address the prescription opioid abuse and heroin epidemic.
Nationally, 60 medical schools agreed to require students receive training in line with CDC guidelines.
“As part of AOA’s ongoing collaboration with the White House to address the opioid epidemic, we’re pleased to announce that 27 colleges of osteopathic medicine will require their students to receive prescriber education prior to graduation. By teaching and reaffirming appropriate prescribing throughout the continuum of osteopathic medical education, DOs are working to improve the quality of care now and for future generations of physicians,” said John W. Becher, DO, president of the American Osteopathic Association
“The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine appreciates the opportunity to partner with the Administration and the American Osteopathic Association to provide leadership on this issue,” said Stephen C. Shannon, DO, MPH, President and CEO of AACOM. “Medical education is the cornerstone of our health care system. Our COMs have demonstrated time and again their commitment to ensuring that the future physician workforce receives the training they need to provide their patients the best possible care. This pledge reinforces our commitment to a patient community that desperately needs our attention and support.”
About the AOA
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 123,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; and is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools.
About AACOM
The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) represents the 31 accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States. These colleges are accredited to deliver instruction at 46 teaching locations in 31 states. In the 2015-16 academic year these colleges are educating over 26,100 future physicians—more than 20 percent of all U.S. medical students. Six of the colleges are public and 25 are private institutions.
AACOM was founded in 1898 to support and assist the nation's osteopathic medical schools, and to serve as a unifying voice for osteopathic medical education. AACOM provides leadership for the osteopathic medical education community by promoting excellence in medical education, research and service, and by fostering innovation and quality across the continuum of osteopathic medical education to improve the health of the American public.
To learn more about DOs and the osteopathic philosophy of medicine, visit www.DoctorsThatDO.org.
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Media Contact:
Lauren Brush
(312) 202-8161
lbrush@osteopathic.org
Twitter: @AOAforDOs