• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

AOAO News

The Orthopod

The Official Publication of the
American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics

    • Leadership Notes
      • AOAO Committees Focus on Strategic Plan
      • Status of Residency Programs: Single Accreditation System Update
      • Passing of the Baton
    • CME Updates
      • What is going on at the AOAO meetings?
      • Congratulations to This Year’s Award Recipients!
    • Residents & Students
      • RAOAO Update
      • New SAOAO National Board
    • Membership News
      • The Apprentice Model for Resident Training – It’s Undervalued!
        By Dr. Richard Howard, DO, FAOAO
      • 2019 AOAO Leadership Seminar: May 4-5
      • Congratulations Steven D. Morton, DO, FAOAO – New AOAO President
      • DO’s that Do: Flying High with Dr. Greg Barnhill, Plane and Helicopter Owner/Pilot
      • Welcome New Members!
      • Thank You to Edward Armbruster, DO, FAOAO – Exiting Editor of The Orthopod
      • The Funky Three-Legged Stool and the Holy Trinity of the Osteopathic Profession
      • Board of Directors
    • General Articles
      • So Many Journals, So Little Time!
      • Global Outreach
      • AOAO Introduces New Ambassador Program in 2019
      • 2018 – A Good Year!
      • Call for Associate Editors
    • Abstracts
      • Arthritis Research UK Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ) as an Indicator of Health Status and Health Literacy in an Urban Setting
      • The Financial Impact of Surgical Site Infection in Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus Patients Undergoing Open Reduction Internal Fixation Procedures
      • The Role of In-Office Diagnostic Needle Arthroscopy for Intra-Articular Knee Symptoms With a Normal MRI: A case report for ACL Insufficiency

Letter to the Editor

The Apprentice Model for Resident Training – It’s Undervalued!
By Dr. Richard Howard, DO, FAOAO


A new “Letters to the Editor” section is being added to The Orthopod that allows AOAO members to comment on publications, discuss aspects of the practice of Osteopathic Orthopedic Surgery, or offer opinions on any subject pertaining to our profession.

For the inaugural editorial, I have asked Dr. Richard Howard to give us his perspectives on Osteopathic vs. Allopathic Orthopedic Surgery Residency.  Dr. Howard is uniquely qualified to comment on this topic, being a career-long resident trainer in both sides of the profession.


Dear Steve,

It is an honor to write to a life long friend in this venue. We have enjoyed each other’s counsel for many years. As you and I come to the sunset of our careers, the field of osteopathic orthopedic surgery is in a crisis of identity. The change to ACGME accreditation of our programs has resulted in the closing of a number of programs (mine included), and the questionable future of many other programs. This is a good time for us to appreciate the value of what we (osteopathic orthopedic surgeons) contribute to our communities.

My perspective on this is unique, in that I have taught orthopedic surgery in both allopathic and osteopathic programs over the last 30 years. In addition, I have served on the AOBOS and the ACGME for orthopedics. From this perspective I have witnessed many training models, and I know that our approach works best.

Our allopathic colleagues don’t agree. The “apprentice model” is the term they use to describe our training approach. They prefer a team approach in which learners learn from each other and their professors. The crux of our current identity crisis is that we are being forced into their mold. I challenge program directors and the AOAO to prevail in this struggle.

Although osteopathic orthopedic programs are changing to meet the ACGME standards, we must preserve our identity and concepts of training. I truly believe the osteopathic method produces a more competent community surgeon. I believe this comes from our greater emphasis on psychomotor performance in training, and consequent decreased emphasis on scholarly activity. The ideal program will be the merger of both! While we are in the storms of change we may not appreciate the value of the merger.

I believe we have much to contribute under the ACGME, but we must maintain our unique identity and methods of training. Our graduates are a testimony to the quality of our residents, and the dedication of our all-volunteer trainers.

Primary Sidebar

Next Meeting

2021 Annual Fall Meeting

October 28 – 30, 2021
Omni Louisville | Louisville, KY


AOAO on Social Media

The Academy has increased its digital footprint! Click here to find out where to join us!

Access the online links for the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) portfolio of journals in the Members Section.
Log in at https://www2.aoao.org/members/protected/index.iphtml.


AOAO is proud to support the U.S. Bone & Joint Initiative.

About the Orthopod

The Academy’s e-newsletter is published three times annually.

Editor:
Steven J. Heithoff, DO, FAOAO
Orthopodeditor@aoao.org

Contributors:
Kyle J. Busch, DO, MS PGY-5
Adam LaFleur
James S. Mason, DO, FAOAO
Fred McAlpin, III, DO, FAOAO
Gary S. Ulrich, DO, FAOAO, FACOS

Copyright © 2023 · American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics