In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic sent a shockwave of fear around the world. Americans cleared out grocery store shelves and followed lockdown orders, while hospitals were inundated with infected patients.

Amid the disruptions that coronavirus has caused within families, communities, and the nation as a whole, the need for medical personnel remains critical as facilities are pushed to their limits. Fortunately, difficult times can also inspire selflessness and public service.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), medical school applications have increased an impressive 18% since the start of the pandemic. This increase comes at an opportune time as the AAMC also predicts that the United States could face a shortage of up to 139,000 physicians by 2033.

The Fauci effect

Some observers are calling this increase in interest in medical professions the “Fauci Effect” after the Chief Medical Advisor to the President of the United States, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci. This notion that individuals were inspired to become physicians by watching the nation’s top infectious disease experts on TV may reflect a simplified cause-and-effect analysis. Observers of trends in medical school enrollment suggest that it is as likely that would-be applicants had the time on their hands to complete the rigorous application process. Nonetheless, attributing this uptick in interest to the amiable and accomplished professional suggests a faith in science and medicine that is sorely needed during a national health crisis.

Osteopathic physicians are needed now more than ever

As important as how many doctors are entering medical schools in the U.S. is where they practice after graduation. According to National Public Radio, 35% percent of registered voters in a survey last year said they’d had trouble finding a doctor, up from 25% in 2015. Historically, rural areas suffer disproportionately from a lack of hospitals and clinics and trained medical personnel to staff them.

The Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM), the first college of osteopathic medicine in the state of Kansas, seeks to reverse this trend. “There are a lot of communities within the state that are in desperate need of health care and access to health care,” Molly Fox, MBA, vice president of advancement at KansasCOM.

Joel Dickerman, DO, founding dean and chief academic officer of KansasCOM, agrees and reflects the college’s commitment to access. “We’re looking at innovation looking at community health issues so that as our graduates will be prepared to take care of individuals and communities,” he says. “Certainly, we’re looking at access issues we would like our graduates to consider under-represented areas like rural sites and even inner-city communities.”

In addition to the general need for physicians in sparsely populated areas, the types of doctors practicing are equally or more important. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes a whole-person approach to healthcare, including an understanding of how lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and cultural influences can impact a patient’s wellbeing. These aspects of osteopathic medicine allow the practice to have an outsized positive affect on the community due to the focus on keeping patients healthy rather than treating them when they are sick.

Going where doctors are needed most

Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) are important to America’s healthcare system because they often focus  on providing care to rural and underserved areas, especially lower-income and marginalized groups. DOs that operate in rural areas like Kansas eliminate the need for patients to travel long distances to receive care. They’re also more familiar with the lifestyle choices and environmental impacts that may be contributing to their patient’s illnesses.

According to a recent article in the journal Osteopathic Family Physician, DOs are particularly well-situated to serve patients suffering from post-infection COVID symptoms. The authors write, “We suggest looking to doctors of osteopathic medicine to bridge the gaps in multifactorial care, including psychological and physical dysfunction.”

As part of their accreditation, KansasCOM had to demonstrate that there were, residency rotations available. Currently, 96% of these residencies are in the state of Kansas. According to an article in the Wichita Business Journal, Tiffany Masson, Psy.D., CEO of KansasCOM, anticipates that there is a 60 to 70% chance that the physician will remain in the state after graduation.

KansasCOM and the AI advantage

In the pursuit of the college’s objective of expanding care across their community, KansasCOM is employing state-of-the-art AI technology in their classrooms, non-cadaveric anatomy lab, and module-based instruction. This approach is both comprehensive and cost-effective, giving the Dr. Faucis of the future the tools to better serve public health.

To learn more about KansasCom’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program, click here.