LCME Accreditation in Osteopathic Schools

[Iridescent]

Why don't DO schools have LCME accreditation? Is it that they are lacking in requirements or that they don't want it? These requirements seem pretty fair of a medical education:

https://www.lcme.org/publications/newschoolguide.pdf

What influence does a lack in these requirements have on developing physicians, whether it be positive or negative.

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[IslandStyle808]

Take what I say as conjecture.

The LCME are what accredit MD schools and the AOA are what accredit DO school. It is all the matter of what route the people making the school want to take. If the school is lacking in research or even strong clinical affiliations (ex. rotations with GME), the AOA standards are far more lenient hence the reason certain schools would choose this route. There could be plenty of reasons why a DO school is open instead of an MD school (doesn't mean they want to do the bare minimum), but in the end it is easier to open a DO school over an MD school. The proof is in the rapid expansion of these schools.

Just because the school lacks these requirements, does mean one will be doomed to a sub-par education. One can still do well on the boards, try to do rotation in hospitals with GME during 3-4th year through elective rotations, and then match into a good residency. It is still possible to start weak and end strong. However, in the end it is better to have a strong start and then have a stronger finish (i.e. strong research connections, and rotations with GME through 3rd year). It is the path of least resistance. You can still be a good doctor in the end if you put in the work and make the connections to get the best out of your education.

 

[AlteredScale]

Why don't DO schools have LCME accreditation? Is it that they are lacking in requirements or that they don't want it? These requirements seem pretty fair of a medical education:

https://www.lcme.org/publications/newschoolguide.pdf

What influence does a lack in these requirements have on developing physicians, whether it be positive or negative.

LCME accreditation is only given to schools who award the MD degree. That's probably the first big reason.

Secondly, the COCA is derived out of the AOA (the main leadership body for osteopathic medical schools) and they are probably just fine in terms of keeping their own accrediting body.

Theoretically if a DO schools we're to undergo LCME eval, they may not pass due to faculty to student ratios and any specific research/scholarly activity provides by basic science and clinical faculty.

 

[hse]

some new md schools got approved without much research or an academic hospital... say calif northstate..
i think the state do schools would pass lcme without much difficulty like mich state and tx

 

[Harker Heights]

TCOM is helping TCU open a new MD school, with 100% of the faculty and facilities to come from TCOM in the beginning and probably for years as well.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

TCOM is helping TCU open a new MD school, with 100% of the faculty and facilities to come from TCOM in the beginning and probably for years as well.

TCOM is not like most DO schools.


I think a good amount of DO schools would struggle to get LCME accreditation. But I believe many would be able to obtain it without significant issue or need to change much.

 

[zero0]

The biggest reason is DO schools lack the funding required to become LCME certified.

http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/hpf/pdf/...intended Consequences of the ACGME Merger.pdf