Allopathic and Osteopathic Medicine at John Carroll University

Many people are confused about what differences might exist between allopathy (what is often considered the traditional M.D. physician) and osteopathy (the D.O. physician). Dr. Andrew T. Still, M.D. founded the first school of osteopathic medicine in 1892. A basic belief of osteopathic medicine has been a holistic philosophy of medical treatment with great attention to preventive medicine and wellness. This approach to health care with an emphasis on the musculoskeletal system has often been used to characterize osteopathic medicine.

Since the founding days of osteopathy, the profession has continually incorporated scientific discoveries into the curriculum of its educational institutions and the practice of the profession. In the mid-1950s allopathic medicine recognized osteopathy as a legitimate and acceptable speciality/branch of medicine. Osteopathic physicians represent about 10% of the practicing physicians in the United States, but they supply over 15% of the nation’s health care.

Today there are 19 schools of osteopathic medicine and 126 schools of allopathic medicine in the continental United States (including 2 allopathic schools in Puerto Rico). The curricular content for schools of both types is very similar. Some schools accept transfers between one another and graduates of osteopathic schools may take residencies in speciality areas at allopathic hospitals.

The requirements for admission to both types of schools are just about the same. Both types of medical schools require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) with a respectable score, an above average Grade Point Average (GPA), a demonstrated understanding of the occupation of medicine, and a strong human service orientation. In 1996 the applicant pool for both types of medical schools was over 47,000 with roughly 16,200 seats in allopathic schools and about 2,300 seats in osteopathic schools. Since then the applicant pool has been slowly declining with the applicant pool for the 1998 entering class of first year medical students being a little over 42,000. The admission process to both types of medical schools remain a very competitive process.

Ohio has 7 (seven) medical schools at:

– Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland) - private, with no state residency given preference

– Medical University of Ohio (Toledo) – public, with Ohio residents given preference

– Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine – (Rootstown) – public with Ohio residents given preference (NEOUCOM also has a combined 6-7 year BS-MD program for high school seniors)

– Ohio State University (Columbus) – public, with Ohio residents given preference

– Ohio University (Athens) – public and osteopathic, with Ohio residents given preference

– University of Cincinnati (Cinn.) – public, with Ohio residents given preference

– Wright State University (Dayton) – public, with Ohio residents given preference

For further information or question please contact, Dr. Gwendolyn Kinebrew, Chair of Pre-Health Professions Studies, 216-397-1971 (e-mail: gkinebrew@jcu.edu)or Miss Nichole Carter, Department Assistant, Pre-Health Professions Studies 216-397-4251 (e-mail: ncarter@jcu.edu).