Osteopathic principles and practices are integrated throughout the four-year curriculum. Students learn to use osteopathic techniques for diagnosis and treatment of disease, as well as for disease prevention. These techniques emphasize physical, emotional and spiritual factors that can impact a patients health. Member boards of the ABMS evaluate physicians by examination and certify as diplomats those candidates who qualified. Medical specialty boards determine whether candidates have received adequate preparation in accordance with established educational standards, provide comprehensive examinations designed to assess knowledge, skills, and experience requisite to the provision of high quality patient care in that specialty, and certify those candidates who have satisfied the requirements.
Many boards require recertification at periodic intervals.
Osteopathic physicians are eligible for certification by 1 of 18 AOA specialty certifying boards after completing an osteopathic residency training program and satisfying requirements defined by an osteopathic specialty. Some boards offer certification in subspecialties or certificates of added qualifications. The Florida Medical Association and The Duval County Medical Society supports every patient's freedom of choice in health care, including the choice of a physician. To make the best choice, you should have the answers to the following questions, and you should feel fully informed and comfortable with the explanations you receive. You should also feel free to request any other information relevant to your health care and treatment.