Osteopathic Physician-Scientist Training
The Connection Between a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and Scientific Investigator
Physician-scientists are individuals trained in both medicine and scientific investigation who advance medical knowledge of diseases to improve patient care outcomes. They typically have a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) and one of the following medical degrees: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) or Medical Doctor (MD).
Osteopathic medicine’s “whole person” approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit to understand how diseases and conditions are formed, developed, treated, and prevented. Prospective students interested in dual training in osteopathic medicine and scientific investigation will find both career pathways complementary, focusing on the root causes of diseases and conditions and how to properly treat and/or prevent them.
Osteopathic physician-scientist training programs (OPSTPs) are pre-doctoral training programs offered at AACOM’s member colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) through which students earn a DO degree with extensive training in scientific investigation, leading to independent research and scholarly activity. These programs are intended to produce physicians who are fluent in basic biomedical, translational, clinical, behavioral, epidemiological engineering and prevention research.
Prospective students interested in pursuing both osteopathic medicine and scientific research can obtain a DO/PhD degree through various pathways. While most OPSTPs are offered as dual or concurrent DO/PhD degree programs through the COMs or their affiliated institutions, some COMs allow students to complete the DO degree at the COM and the PhD degree at another institution.
Alternatively, some students may complete one degree program first (DO or PhD) and then pursue the other degree or gain research training during fellowships. No matter the pathway, osteopathic physician-scientists provide vital patient care and contribute to groundbreaking discoveries.
Curriculum Timeline
Trainees enrolled in an OPSTP at one of AACOM’s member COMs typically spend seven to eight years in education and training to become an osteopathic physician-scientist. Although the program timeline may differ for each AACOM member COM, the timeline for OPSTPs primarily can be divided into three stages (2-3/4-2) depending on the number of years required to complete each stage. The following general timeline provides insight into what prospective students can expect when enrolling into an OPSTP at an AACOM member COM.
- The first two years (OMS 1 and 2) consist of preclinical medical education courses with an integrated approach of biomedical and humanities or social-behavioral curriculum with some clinical experiences.
- During this time, trainees are expected to identify mentors and determine dissertation topics through laboratory rotations and supervised literature review.
- Additionally, trainees are expected to pass COMLEX-USA Level 1 by the end of this stage.
- Trainees then spend the next three-to-four years (G1-G3/4) – depending on the OPSTP – pursuing doctoral studies in either a biomedical or biobehavioral discipline through a Translational Biomedical Sciences (TBS) graduate program.
- Trainees may have the opportunity to continue or expand upon their dissertation research through elective or selective research rotations.
- Some OPSTPs require trainees to write a National Research Service Award or a similar proposal that supports their dissertation research as additional preparation for the osteopathic physician-scientist profession.
- Graduate curricula and research opportunities vary across AACOM member COMs. Therefore, graduate education and training obtained from each OPSTP will also differ.
- Trainees spend the final two years (OMS 3 and 4) performing rotations.
- Prior to reentry into the DO program, trainees are expected to publicly defend their doctoral theses.
NOTE: The timeline and program duration for each OPSTP may vary depending on clinical and PhD requirements and progress of research and scholarly activity. While pursuing osteopathic physician-scientist education and training is a long-term commitment, prospective students should keep in mind they are completing two programs simultaneously, a DO and PhD or highly research-driven program. Additionally, pursuing the career path of an osteopathic physician-scientist through a dual or concurrent degree program may require less time than if both degrees were pursued separately.
For more information on each OPSTP visit the Osteopathic Physician-Scientist Training Programs by State page.
Career Pathways
Most graduates of an OPSTP pursue careers in medical and/or academic research, bridging the gap between basic science and clinical practice, Hence, osteopathic physician-scientists often find careers at medical colleges or universities; major medical research centers, laboratories and pharmaceutical companies; private and group clinical practices; and/or government agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); and state, county and/or city health departments.
For more information about student outcomes refer to Osteopathic Physician-Scientist Training Programs by State to access each AACOM member COM with an OPSTP.
Benefits of Pursuing a Career as an Osteopathic Physician-Scientist
OPSTPs are either partially or fully funded, which means trainees receive a tuition waiver for either a portion or all their education and training. Additionally, trainees may receive a competitive stipend and healthcare benefits while seeking training. Please refer to each AACOM member COM with an OPSTP for the benefits each offers.
There are funding sources specific to trainees pursuing a career as a physician scientist. The NIH’s Division of Loan Repayment has Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) that will repay up to $50,000 annually of a researcher’s qualified educational debt, if agreeing to participate in an NIH mission-related research project.
Since OPSTPs prepare trainees for investigative careers in academic medicine, osteopathic physician-scientists have a promising future as a faculty member at a medical college or university to train the next generation of osteopathic physician-scientists.
Osteopathic physician-scientists participate in pioneering research that advance medicine and improve patient health outcomes. They also serve as a leading voice for the approval of drug therapies.