Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine offers a comprehensive doctor of osteopathic medicine program for both United States and prospective international doctors.
Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM) offers a comprehensive Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program for both United States and prospective international doctors. Doctors can travel and see the world while practicing medicine. Osteopathic doctors have full practice rights in the United States, while other countries allow different scopes of practice and may have different licensing requirements. KansasCOM graduates who become fully licensed osteopathic doctors may practice in different countries if they abide by the requirements unique to each country.
Osteopathic doctors earn medical credentials that allow them to practice medicine, like a medical doctor. The key difference is the approach to patient care. These credentials are not the same as a medical doctor (MD) as they require different education, training, and focus on a more natural solution to treatments. Osteopathic doctors adhere to the tenets of osteopathic medicine for a more integrative view of patient care.
Our osteopathic program is integrated and innovative so our graduates learn to consider the whole person rather than focusing on just the symptoms a patient may have. Osteopathic doctors have extensive training in the neuromusculoskeletal system and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), granting the DOs a strong understanding of the body’s interconnectivity of nerves, muscles, and bones. This helps DOs determine a structural disruption in the patient’s body that leads to functional issues and work with the patient to encourage self-healing and rational treatment to restore or manage the dysfunction. Osteopathic doctors can and will prescribe medicine, recommend, and even perform surgeries if it is within their area of practice.
Osteopaths can specialize in any of the same fields medical doctors do, which include primary and non-primary care roles. These opportunities are not limited to the United States. Osteopathic doctors can work internationally. Our DO program provides students with a foundation to work within any sector of health care they desire.
Can Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine Practice in Other Countries?
Yes, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) can practice medicine abroad. In fact, osteopathic doctors have practice rights in more than 65 countries. A key difference between DOs practicing overseas and staying in the United States is that U.S. doctors of osteopathic medicine are fully licensed physicians. Other countries may limit the licensure doctors can obtain, decreasing the scope of medicine they are allowed to practice.
Graduates of KansasCOM learn through a comprehensive curriculum that includes standardized patient encounters, human-patient simulations, modern medical technology, interprofessional education activities, and clinical skills labs for practical experience that they can take to other countries.
Where Can DOs Practice?
Osteopathic doctors can practice in various countries and continents. The licensure requirements vary, so additional education, training, or testing may be required.
Here is a partial list of the countries that allow U.S. osteopathic doctors to practice:
- Canada
- India
- China
- Australia
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Peru
- Ireland
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Zambia
- Iran
View this licensure map for a complete map of United States osteopathic doctors practicing in various countries.
How To Become an International Doctor
Each country sets its own requirements for international doctors of osteopathic medicine graduates and students, which can also change at any time. It is recommended to visit the country’s medical council website for the country you are interested in. However, you must complete your osteopathic medicine program, residency training, and become a doctor of osteopathic medicine. There are other programs available for those who wish to complete their clinical training internationally, which is dependent on the college of osteopathic medicine . Various osteopathic programs include international activities, including the completion of international elective rotations as part of their course credits.
The American Osteopathic Association can provide you with general advice, introduction letters, and offer documentation to outline the scope of osteopathic medicine to support your right to practice medicine abroad.
Begin Your DO Education at KansasCOM
Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine provides a student-focused, patient-centered, and community-based osteopathic academic program for United States osteopathic doctors to assist in their local community or practice medicine abroad. Graduates can pursue careers in more than 65 countries with varying levels of practice rights. If your goal is to serve communities abroad, our Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program will prepare you for your journey to become an international Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.