DO Applicants Wishing to Practice Overseas…
This information was forwarded from Tom Levitan, Vice President for Research and Applicant Services American Association
of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
DO applicants who want options for practicing medicine outside of the United States.
Two examples:
The first example are folks who after medical school will want to participate in various overseas relief programs or missions and practice occasionally or on an annual basis outside of the U.S. From what we know, the DO degree is not a barrier to such practice. The organization through which the individual works will verify that the doctor is licensed and communicate that to the foreign country authorities.
Several of the osteopathic colleges include overseas medical experience either third and fourth year rotations or supplemental experiences in their undergraduate programs.
The second example are students who, after completing medical school and licensure in the U.S., want to move overseas, be licensed, and practice medicine as residents of foreign countries. The response here is different and varies from country to country. Many countries distinguish between osteopathic medicine which is very much like osteopathic medicine as it is recognized in the U.S. and includes full medical education and practice and osteopathy, the practice of manipulative treatments only and not the full practice of medicine. The Osteopathic International Alliance maintains a website that provides more detailed and country specific information:
In many countries, the situation for U.S. licensed physicians who want to emigrate and practice is similar to the situation for foreign licensed physicians who want to move to the U.S. to practice.
