Can IMGs apply to Osteopathy Residency Match ?

There are two main tracks of medicine in the USA : Allopathic and Osteopathic. The others would include the Chiropractors & Podiatrists, but it's tough to consider them truly comprehensive medicine. Other systems in the rest of the world include Homeopathic, Ayurvedic, Naturopathic, Yunani, etc. !

Though this may not be technically correct, for all practical purposes,

Osteopathic medicine = Allopathic Medicine + Osteopathic manipulative medicine with emphasis on holistic health & disease prevention. You can Google the hell out it to find out more....you might be amused to know that the Osteopathic system was invented by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, who is an MD himself !

Here's a Youtube video that does a good job explaining more about D.O.:



Students of Osteopathic schools are accepted into MD residency programs and can even be offered prematches, but the reverse is not true! Osteopathic residency programs operate via the National Matching Service and only accept Students trained in osteopathic schools.

Thus IMGs and US Medical grads of Allopathic (MD track) Medical schools cannot apply for Osteopathic residencies. IMGs trained outside of USA in Osteopathic medical schools too may not qualify if there programs only train them in manipulative techniques and not the allopathic part...

And here's an published letter that will make a good read for those interested:

"Time to Accept Allopathic Physicians Into AOA-Approved Residencies?"

Also Read:

- What are 'Prematches'?
- Philosophy of Osteopathy

Search keywords to this article:

- What is Osteopathic Medicine ?

- Difference between D.O. and MD ?

- Osteopathic Medicine versus Allopathic medicine