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From the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale (Dr Scott) and the Scottsdale (Ariz) Healthcare Family Medicine Residency Program (Drs O'Connor and Marlow).

Address correspondence to Shannon C. Scott, DO, Midwestern University, 19555 N 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85308-6813. E-mail: sscott1{at}midwestern.edu

Currently, close to 50% of osteopathic medical graduates receive residency training from programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) rather than those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). As a result, leaders within the osteopathic medical profession have expressed ongoing concerns about the viability of the profession's distinct osteopathic identity. Using a one-page, 12-item survey, the authors queried ACGME-trained family practice residents (N=1354) regarding their interest in formal membership, continuing medical education activities, and specialty board certification options within the osteopathic medical profession. Four hundred twenty-six completed surveys were returned and usable for analysis for an overall response rate of 31.4%. A majority of survey participants indicated an interest "in continuing [their] osteopathic skills and training during residency" (376 [88.5%]), membership in osteopathic organizations and participating in continuing medical education programs (325 [77.2%]), and completing the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians certification examination (267 [63.7%]). Unfortunately, actual involvement may be limited by lack of communication or understanding, as in the case of lack of awareness regarding eligibility criteria for AOA board certification (311 [74.2%]). A variety of recommendations are offered to osteopathic organizations to improve involvement in and commitment to the profession among ACGME-trained DOs.