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AOA-ACGME Merger Provides Single Accreditation System for MDs, DOs

By J.D. Polk, DO, MS, MMM, CPE, FACOEP | on May 7, 2014 | 2 Comments
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This epic endeavor also should break down old walls that separated the two professions. A DO who did an ACGME residency will no longer be ostracized by the osteopathic community, and an MD who has extra training in holistic patient care will no longer be seen as “on the fringe.”

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Explore This Issue
ACEP Now: Vol 33 – No 05 – May 2014

We may find we have more in common than we thought, and our focus will then be on patient outcomes rather than initials and inconsequential differences. The letters behind your name or the organization that accredited your training program do not translate to the bedside. Patients need competent, caring physicians, and this new system is on track to produce them.


Dr. PolkDr. Polk is dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Des Moines University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 | Single Page

Topics: AccreditationCareer DevelopmentEducation and TrainingEmergency MedicineEmergency PhysicianOsteopathic Medicine

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2 Responses to “AOA-ACGME Merger Provides Single Accreditation System for MDs, DOs”

  1. February 8, 2015

    Kay Reply

    This is exciting news for MD’s. I’m an IMG who hasn’t matched into a residency yet! How soon will I be able to sign up for and take COMLEX?

  2. March 10, 2015

    MIL Reply

    Dear Dr. Polk,

    I have been reading a lot of reviews and comments in regards to the merger AOA-ACGME merger and I was wondering if you could clarify some of my confusions. I have been told that DO graduates have a harder time getting competitive MD residency. In addition, there still lingers a stigma that MDs are superior than DOs although they go through the similar educational process. I plan on applying to DO schools in the year of 2015 and I am unsure what this merger does to DO students in United States.

    I would greatly appreciate any advice and help,

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