Osteopathic Medicine—Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program curriculum stresses independent study and self-directed learning. The four-year program begins by building upon small and large group interactive case-based learning experiences, and focuses on conceptual knowledge acquisition, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning—not rote memorization and recall of facts.

All engagements with faculty facilitators are designed to utilize assessment to guide learning and evaluation to improve outcomes. All UIWSOM educational programs are built upon and are continuously informed by these guiding principles:

— Reflect the UIW and UIWSOM mission, vision, and values.

— Support adult learning and educational principles.

— Synthesize the science of medical knowledge for clinical practice.

— Develop critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and reflective practice.

— Integrate osteopathic principles in education and professional practice.

As part of their program of research into professional preparedness, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching sponsored the authorship of Educating Physicians: A Call for Reform of Medical School and Residency (2010). Educating Physicians, rooted in Flexner’s (1910) seminal work, argued for key educational practices that medical schools would need to adopt in order to produce the next generation of physicians, including an intentional integration of clinically applied biomedical sciences, early exposure to experiential learning, and professional identity formation, with an emphasis on healthcare teams, social accountability, and cultural awareness.

To this end, the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program curriculum was developed from the ground up as an integrated curriculum designed to spiral content throughout all phases of the program and to support osteopathic medical students in their attainment of the knowledge, skills and abilities expected at each level of training, culminating with entry into graduate medical education programs.

Academic Scholars Concentration

The pre-doctoral Academic Scholars Concentration is a unique opportunity to expand the educational and clinical opportunities for selected students. It expands the medical school training period from four to five years by adding an extra twelve months of advanced osteopathic training, clinical experiences, teaching opportunities, advanced anatomy education and instruction, research and publication opportunities. This Academic Scholars Concentration may be undertaken in a consecutive twelve-month period or divided into six-month blocks to allow for intermixed clinical rotations to bolster those experiences into the applicability of the skill sets to be learned. The scholars will be given tuition forgiveness for one year and a monthly stipend of $1000/month in addition to CME funding while actively participating in the program.

Scholars will be integral to the OPP and anatomy components of the UIWSOM program, assisting in classroom and practical training activities, as well as the development of, and participation in, research projects. Scholars also provide clinical services under the supervision of faculty members. Their roles will also extend beyond the teaching environment in community outreach and patient interaction as they will be true representatives of the school in the local sphere. Learners are chosen to be scholars through an application process. They will be expected to be in good academic standing and have recommendation letters from applicable faculty, as well as include a letter of intent in their own words. Suitable candidates will be interviewed by the Program Directors and selected based on the merits as mentioned above.

Admissions

University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine participates in the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS). AACOMAS offers prospective students a convenient and centralized online application service for accredited osteopathic medical schools. Through AACOMAS, candidates file one electronic application, which is then verified and distributed by AACOMAS to all the osteopathic colleges designated by the candidate. As a private osteopathic medical school, UIWSOM does not participate in the Texas Medical and Dental School Application Service (TMDSAS).

Undergraduate Course Work

Undergraduate course preparation will be vital to the success of the student applicant. Minimum coursework requirements include the courses below. All prerequisites must be taken from a regionally accredited college/university and earn a “C” or higher for each course (2.0 on a 4.0 GPA scale). A grade of "C-" does not meet the minimum grade requirement.

Required:

• Completion of no less than 75% of the credits required for a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

• Biology: minimum of 8 semester hours, including 2 semester hours of laboratory work.

• Inorganic Chemistry: minimum of 8 semester hours, including 2 semester hours of laboratory work.

• Organic Chemistry: minimum of 8 semester hours, including 2 semester hours of laboratory work.

• Physics: minimum of 8 semester hours, including 2 semester hours of laboratory work.

• English: minimum of 6 semester hours of composition and/or literature.

Recommended Preparatory Coursework

To facilitate a smoother transition to the medical school, applicants are encouraged to take additional coursework such as

• Advanced sciences: human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, neuroscience, microbiology, behavioral science, and immunology.

• Six semester hours of philosophy or other humanities coursework.

• Six semester hours of math/statistics coursework.

MCAT Scores

All applicants must submit their most recent MCAT scores as part of the AACOMAS application. Scores older than three years prior to matriculation will not be considered.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation:

• one letter from a physician (preferably DO),

• one letter from a premed advisor or health professions admissions committee (HPAC), and

• one letter from a science faculty member.

Non-traditional students can substitute one faculty or HPAC letter with a more recent reference (employer, volunteer/community service supervisor, etc.).

Other Factors

Careful consideration will be given to the following during the application review process:

• Significant employment opportunities.

• Exposure to the DO profession, either through health care employment or a shadow program.

• Substantial volunteer and community service.

• It is recommended that bilingual applicants should identify themselves on the AACOMAS application.

Supplemental Application

After initial review, qualified applicants are invited to complete and submit the supplemental application which includes essay questions specific to UIWSOM.

Interview

Competitive applicants are invited to campus to participate in multiple mini-interviews. Read this article to learn more about the MMI format: "What to Expect During a Medical School Multiple Mini Interview"

For more information on the application process or to apply, please visit the School of Osteopathic Medicine Admissions web page.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree Plan

The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program consists of a four-year curriculum divided into two phases. The degree requires a minimum of 234 credit hours to complete.

Phase I consists of ten total units divided over two academic years. The first eight are integrated units organized around weekly themes that illustrate our curricular components: osteopathic clinical skills, physician personhood, and applied biomedical sciences. Additionally, curricular threads are woven throughout the curriculum and include Mental Health and Wellness, Spirituality, Social Accountability, Service and Scholarship, Public Health, and Evidence-based Medicine. Time is built into the curriculum for self-directed learning, review, and reinforcement. Unit 9 focuses on preparation for COMLEX-USA Level 1 with dedicated sessions, practice examinations, and advising. Unit 10 serves as a transitional unit to prepare learners for entering clinical clerkships (Phase II) and is comprised of a mix of asynchronous learning modules and in-person skills workshops.

Phase II includes clinical clerkships as well as dedicated weeks on campus for reflection, integration, and assessment. Year 3 consists of required 6-week core clerkships as well as an osteopathic principles and practice longitudinal integrated clerkship that runs concurrently throughout the year. Year 4 consists of a required 4-week Emergency Medicine core clerkship, two medicine selectives, one surgery selective, and five elective clerkships. Students also engage in a 3-week Readiness for Residency unit, which serves as a capstone for learners’ undergraduate medical education and emphasizes Core Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs).

Year 1 Courses

Year 2 Courses

Year 3 Core Clerkships

Year 3 Longitudinal Clerkships

Year 4 Required Clerkships

Students must complete the 4-week Emergency Medicine Core Clerkship and the 3-week Readiness for Residency Course. Students must also choose two 4-week medicine selectives, one 4-week surgery selective, and twenty weeks of electives (taken as either 2- or 4-week clerkships).

Year 4 Medicine Selective Clerkship Options

Year 4 Medicine selective clerkship options are subject to preceptor availability.

Year 4 Surgery Selective Options

Year 4 Surgery selective clerkship options are subject to preceptor availability.

Year 4 Elective Options

Year 4 Elective clerkship options are subject to preceptor availability. Available courses may be updated at any time.

These Elective Clerkships are offered as 2-week (8200 courses) and/or 4-week (8400 courses) experiences. Note that some elective clerkships may require specific approval. Please see syllabi for details.

Total Credit Hours: 234