The Madison residency program has Osteopathic Recognition and integrates Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) into clinical practice and offers dedicated OMT clinic days for our DO learners. The Madison Osteopathic Study Group meets monthly, alternating between in-person meetings and virtual sessions as part of the Wisconsin Osteopathic Research and Discussion (WORD) initiative. This group includes faculty and residents from family medicine programs across Wisconsin, community faculty, fellows, and pediatric residents and faculty.

We also offer OMT4MD, a resident-led program open to all allopathic residents interested in learning OMT.

We incorporate osteopathic principles into our regular didactics for both PGY-1s, and PGY2-3s, providing additional opportunities for both DOs and MDs to enhance their clinical practice. Additionally, we are expanding our outreach by offering OMT services at local sporting events and clinics that support individuals experiencing homelessness.

Osteopathic Recognition

Osteopathic Recognition is a designation awarded by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to programs that incorporate osteopathic principles and practices into their training. This recognition ensures that the residency program:

1. Integrates Osteopathic Philosophy: Emphasizes a holistic approach to patient care, recognizing the interrelationship between the body’s structure and function and the body’s inherent ability to heal itself.

2. Offers Specialized Training in OMT: Provides comprehensive training in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), a hands-on approach used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury.

3. Enhances Education and Skills: Includes dedicated curriculum components that teach residents how to apply osteopathic principles in clinical practice, enhancing their diagnostic and therapeutic skills.

4. Promotes Osteopathic Practice: Encourages the incorporation of osteopathic techniques into everyday family medicine practice, ensuring that residents can offer a unique, patient-centered approach to care.

5. Supports DO and MD Residents: While DO residents are required to participate in osteopathic training, MD residents are also welcome to engage in these learning opportunities, fostering an inclusive environment that values diverse medical education backgrounds.

By achieving Osteopathic Recognition, a residency program demonstrates its commitment to providing a well-rounded education that prepares physicians to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care using both osteopathic and allopathic approaches.