Osteopathic medicine as practiced in the United States continues to gain recognition throughout the world. Osteopathic physicians, or D.O.s, currently have unlimited practice rights in roughly 50 countries, with partial practice rights in many more.

The American Osteopathic Association has assigned responsibility for international activities to the Council on International Osteopathic Medical Education and Affairs. The Council, which was founded in 1996, holds regular meetings in the fall and the spring with an annual report presented to the AOA House of Delegates at the annual business meeting in July. Council activities include:

• Contact with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
• An international seminar at the AOA's annual convention.
• Leadership in establishing an Osteopathic International Alliance.
• Distribution of information on international activities of interest.
• Distribution of information about the AOA and American osteopathic medicine to interested parties outside of the U.S.
• Coordination of international activity with osteopathic medical students, colleges of osteopathic medicine and interested specialty colleges.
• Monitoring of licensing and registration practices in countries outside of the United States, particularly as it affects osteopathic medical education.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What countries offer full medical practice to graduates of American colleges of osteopathic Medicine and AOA approved graduate medical education?

A: The International Licensure Summary is located in the members-only section of www.do-online.org, the osteopathic professionals' Web site of the AOA.

Q: What activities does the AOA conduct internationally?

A: The AOA established its Council on International Osteopathic Medical Education and Affairs (CIOMEA) to oversee the AOA international activity. The areas of involvement are listed under CIOMEA activities.

Q: I am a student at a college of osteopathic medicine in the United States. I wish to participate in a clinical rotation outside of the United States. Who should I contact?

A: For information regarding clinical rotations outside of the U.S., please contact the office of your college of osteopathic medicine's academic dean.

Q: I am attending an osteopathic program in Europe, and I wish to practice as a D.O. in the United States. How should I proceed?

A: There are no osteopathic programs located outside of the United States that qualify an individual or group to practice as osteopathic physicians in the United States.

Q: I am interested in learning more about American osteopathic medicine, and osteopathic medical education. Who should I contact?