Philadelphia College of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Osteopathic Medicine

OutlineOutline

Brief History of Osteopathic MedicineBrief History of Osteopathic MedicineWhat is a D.O.?What is a D.O.?Life at PCOMLife at PCOMLife after PCOMLife after PCOMDual Degree ProgramsDual Degree ProgramsAdmission ProcessAdmission ProcessClass ProfilesClass ProfilesHow to be a more competitive applicant How to be a more competitive applicant Biomedical Science ProgramBiomedical Science ProgramOther Programs Other Programs Q and AQ and A

Andrew Taylor Still (1828-Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917)1917)

• Father of Osteopathic Father of Osteopathic Medicine Medicine

• Dr. Still was dissatisfied Dr. Still was dissatisfied with Medicine of the 19with Medicine of the 19thth Century.Century.

• Started Osteopathic Started Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri in 1874.Missouri in 1874.

• He founded Kirksville He founded Kirksville College of Osteopathic College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1892, which Medicine in 1892, which is now A.T. Still is now A.T. Still UniversityUniversity..

Andrew Taylor Still (1828 Andrew Taylor Still (1828 -1917)-1917)

• Dr. Still developed a Dr. Still developed a philosophy that philosophy that focuses on the unity focuses on the unity of all body parts.of all body parts.

• He recognized the He recognized the body’s ability to heal body’s ability to heal itself and stressed itself and stressed preventive medicine.preventive medicine.

• He identified the He identified the musculoskeletal musculoskeletal system as the key system as the key element of health.element of health.

Tenets of Osteopathic Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine Medicine

• 1) A person is the product of dynamic interaction 1) A person is the product of dynamic interaction between body, mind , and spirit.between body, mind , and spirit.

• 2) An inherent property of this dynamic interaction is 2) An inherent property of this dynamic interaction is the capacity of the individual for the maintenance of the capacity of the individual for the maintenance of health and recovery from disease health and recovery from disease

• 3) Many Forces, both intrinsic and extrinsic to the 3) Many Forces, both intrinsic and extrinsic to the person, can challenge this inherent capacity and person, can challenge this inherent capacity and contribute to the onset of illness.contribute to the onset of illness.

• 4) The musculoskeletal system significantly influences 4) The musculoskeletal system significantly influences the individual's ability to restore this inherent capacity the individual's ability to restore this inherent capacity and therefore to resist disease processes. and therefore to resist disease processes.

Rogers et al (2002). Proposed tenets of osteopathic medicine and principles for Rogers et al (2002). Proposed tenets of osteopathic medicine and principles for patient care. patient care. JAOAJAOA, 102: 63 -65., 102: 63 -65.

Principles of Patient CarePrinciples of Patient Care

• 1) The patient is the focus for 1) The patient is the focus for healthcare.healthcare.

• 2) The patient has the primary 2) The patient has the primary responsibly for his or her health.responsibly for his or her health.

• 3) An effective treatment program for 3) An effective treatment program for patient care is founded on these tenets.patient care is founded on these tenets.

Rogers et al (2002). Proposed tenets of osteopathic medicine and principles for Rogers et al (2002). Proposed tenets of osteopathic medicine and principles for patient care. patient care. JAOAJAOA, 102: 63 -65., 102: 63 -65.

What is Osteopathic What is Osteopathic Medicine?Medicine?

• Focuses on examining and treating the Focuses on examining and treating the whole person not just the symptoms. whole person not just the symptoms.

• Focuses on preventative maintenance.Focuses on preventative maintenance.• Uses manipulation (OMM/OMT) as a Uses manipulation (OMM/OMT) as a

modality of treatment.modality of treatment.• Training as a generalist first and a Training as a generalist first and a

specialist second.specialist second.

Osteopathic vs. Osteopathic vs. AllopathicAllopathic

• SimilaritiesSimilarities• Application processApplication process• Four year programFour year program• National boardsNational boards• State licensing boardsState licensing boards• Unlimited rights to Unlimited rights to

practice all phases of practice all phases of medicine (including medicine (including writing prescriptions)writing prescriptions)

• DistinctionsDistinctions• Philosophy Philosophy

(holistic/preventive care)(holistic/preventive care)• Emphasis on Emphasis on

musculoskeletal systemmusculoskeletal system• Generalist Generalist

education/Primary education/Primary care(Family practice, care(Family practice, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, General Internal General Internal Medicine) Medicine)

Life at PCOMLife at PCOM

• 11stst and 2 and 2ndnd years years• ““Doctors from Day One”Doctors from Day One”• Integrated CurriculumIntegrated Curriculum

• Primary care skills integrated with basic and Primary care skills integrated with basic and clinical biomedical sciences and Osteopathic clinical biomedical sciences and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM).Manipulative Medicine (OMM).

• Systems-Based CurriculumSystems-Based Curriculum• Uses a variety of methods to present this Uses a variety of methods to present this

information: information: • Lectures, laboratory study, small group conferences, Lectures, laboratory study, small group conferences,

student-centered study and projects, problem-student-centered study and projects, problem-oriented cases, and selected symposia. oriented cases, and selected symposia.

Life at PCOMLife at PCOM

• Opportunities for research, Opportunities for research, community service, and campus community service, and campus involvementinvolvement• Sigma XI Scientific Research Society Sigma XI Scientific Research Society • Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging

(CCDA)(CCDA)• Clubs and interest groups on campus:Clubs and interest groups on campus:

• Rugby, PCOM East, Surgery Club, Pediatric Rugby, PCOM East, Surgery Club, Pediatric Club, etc. Club, etc.

Life at PCOMLife at PCOM

• 33rdrd and 4 and 4thth Years Years • Series of clerkshipsSeries of clerkships

• Urban (required)Urban (required)• Rural (required)Rural (required)• International International

(elective)(elective)

Life after PCOMLife after PCOM

• According to a According to a survey conducted by survey conducted by PCOM for the 2008 PCOM for the 2008 graduating class: graduating class: • 87% of student 87% of student

received one of their received one of their top 3 choices and top 3 choices and 91% were happy with 91% were happy with their matchtheir match

• Students match into a Students match into a variety of residencies variety of residencies ranging from Internal ranging from Internal Medicine and Family Medicine and Family Medicine to Surgery and Medicine to Surgery and Cardiology. Cardiology.

• Examples: PCOM Examples: PCOM Consortium, Thomas Consortium, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson University, Geisinger Health System, Geisinger Health System, etc. etc.

Dual Degree ProgramsDual Degree Programs

• D.O./Masters of Business Administration (with St. D.O./Masters of Business Administration (with St. Joseph’s University)Joseph’s University)

• D.O./Masters of Public Health (with Temple D.O./Masters of Public Health (with Temple University)University)

• D.O./PhD in Health Policy (with the University of the D.O./PhD in Health Policy (with the University of the Sciences)Sciences)

• D.O./Masters of Science in Forensic Medicine D.O./Masters of Science in Forensic Medicine (PCOM Graduate Program)(PCOM Graduate Program)

• D.O./Masters of Science in Organizational D.O./Masters of Science in Organizational Development and Leadership (PCOM Graduate Development and Leadership (PCOM Graduate Program)Program)

Admission ProcessAdmission Process

• Apply Through Centralized Application Service- Apply Through Centralized Application Service- AACOMASAACOMAS• https://aacomas.aacom.org/https://aacomas.aacom.org/

• Supplemental Application Supplemental Application • Premedical Committee/Advisor LetterPremedical Committee/Advisor Letter• Personal StatementPersonal Statement• Additional supporting letters of recommendation Additional supporting letters of recommendation

(faculty, PhD’s, MD’s, etc.)(faculty, PhD’s, MD’s, etc.)• D.O. Letter (strongly recommended)D.O. Letter (strongly recommended)• Admissions Committee InterviewAdmissions Committee Interview

2007 Class Profile2007 Class Profile

• 3,4843,484 applicants in the pool applicants in the pool • 717717 were invited to interview were invited to interview• 635635 were interviewed were interviewed• 375 375 were acceptedwere accepted• 268268 matriculated in Class of 2011 matriculated in Class of 2011

2007 Class Profile 2007 Class Profile (cont’d)(cont’d)

• Overall GPA: Overall GPA: 3.43.4• Science GPA: Science GPA: 3.33.3• Non-Science GPA: Non-Science GPA: 3.43.4• MCAT Scores: AMCAT Scores: Average of at least verage of at least 88 per section per section

• 47% male, 47% male, 5353% female% female• 6363% Pennsylvania residents% Pennsylvania residents

• 172 172 PA ResidentsPA Residents• 96 96 Other States in the USOther States in the US

2007 Class Profile 2007 Class Profile (Georgia Campus)(Georgia Campus)

• 26142614 applicants in the pool applicants in the pool • 322322 were invited to interview were invited to interview• 287287 were interviewed were interviewed• 142142 were accepted were accepted• 8686 matriculated matriculated

2007 Class Profile 2007 Class Profile (Georgia Campus) (Georgia Campus)

cont’dcont’d• Overall GPA: Overall GPA: 3.33.3• Science GPA: Science GPA: 3.13.1• Non-Science GPA: Non-Science GPA: 3.43.4• MCAT Scores: MCAT Scores: 23 23 ((average of average of 7/87/8 per section) per section)

• 4242% male, % male, 5858% female% female• 5050% Georgia residents% Georgia residents

• 43 43 GA ResidentsGA Residents• 43 43 Other States in the USOther States in the US

How can I be a more How can I be a more competitive applicant?competitive applicant?

• Apply early in application cycle (Rolling Admission)Apply early in application cycle (Rolling Admission)• Share experiences with premed advisorShare experiences with premed advisor• Recommended courseworkRecommended coursework

• BiochemistryBiochemistry• ImmunologyImmunology• Anatomy & PhysiologyAnatomy & Physiology• MicrobiologyMicrobiology

• If possible, take a preparatory class for the MCATIf possible, take a preparatory class for the MCAT• Shadow a DOShadow a DO• VolunteerVolunteer• Post Baccalaureate or Graduate ProgramPost Baccalaureate or Graduate Program

Biomedical Science Biomedical Science ProgramProgram

• Program offered at both campusesProgram offered at both campuses• Certificate Program (1 Year)Certificate Program (1 Year)

• Leads into Master’s Degree Leads into Master’s Degree • Coursework similar to 1st year medical Coursework similar to 1st year medical

student.student.• Molecular Basis of Medicine, Infectious Process, Molecular Basis of Medicine, Infectious Process,

Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, Pharmacology, Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, Pharmacology, NeuroscienceNeuroscience

• Master’s Degree ( 1 Additional Year)Master’s Degree ( 1 Additional Year)• Several TracksSeveral Tracks

• Thesis, Non-Thesis, Forensic Biology, Thesis, Non-Thesis, Forensic Biology, Neuromusculoskeletal Research, Organizational Neuromusculoskeletal Research, Organizational Leadership in the BiosciencesLeadership in the Biosciences

Other Degree ProgramsOther Degree Programs

• Physician Assistant Studies (MS)Physician Assistant Studies (MS)• Forensic Medicine (Pathway, Certificate, Forensic Medicine (Pathway, Certificate,

MS)MS)• School Psychology (MS, EdS, PsyD)School Psychology (MS, EdS, PsyD)• Counseling and Clinical Heath Psychology Counseling and Clinical Heath Psychology

(MS)(MS)• Clinical Psychology (PsyD, CAGS, post-Clinical Psychology (PsyD, CAGS, post-

doc)doc)• Organizational Development and Organizational Development and

Leadership (MS)Leadership (MS)

Suggested ReadingSuggested Reading

• Gallagher, R. Michael and Humphrey II, Frederick ‑ Gallagher, R. Michael and Humphrey II, Frederick ‑ Osteopathic Medicine ‑ A Reformation in Osteopathic Medicine ‑ A Reformation in

ProgressProgress• Gevitz, Norman ‑ Gevitz, Norman ‑

The DO's: Osteopathic Medicine in AmericaThe DO's: Osteopathic Medicine in America• Northrup, George -Northrup, George -

Osteopathic Medicine – An American Osteopathic Medicine – An American Reformation Reformation

• Walter, Georgia Warrener - Walter, Georgia Warrener - Osteopathic Medicine: Past and PresentOsteopathic Medicine: Past and Present

WebsitesWebsites• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic

MedicineMedicinehttp://www.aacom.orghttp://www.aacom.org

• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (aacomas)Medicine Application Service (aacomas)

https://https://aacomasaacomas.aacom.org .aacom.org • American Osteopathic AssociationAmerican Osteopathic Association

http://www.osteopathic.orghttp://www.osteopathic.org• MCAT MCAT

http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htmhttp://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm

PCOM Office of Admissions4170 City AvenuePhiladelphia, PA 19131Phone: 215-871-6700 • 800-999-6998Fax: 215-971-6719E-mail: admissions@pcom.eduwww.pcom.edu