Aligning the Interests of Osteopathic and Allopathic Teachers of Family Medicine

As the Program Development Specialist for the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Osteopathic Medicine, I recall my very first Annual STFM conference. I was a newcomer, but STFM never made me feel that way. I accompanied one of our M.D. faculty members to the conference, because she claimed STFM was one of the best organizations to join. After attending many of the seminars, workshops and lectures at the conference, I was very impressed with the intelligence, camaraderie, vitality and the collaborative spirit these family practice physicians demonstrated. I participated actively in most of the programs, even though I was not a physician, osteopathic or allopathic. As an educator in higher education for 22 years, who now works with family medicine faculty in developing educational programs at an osteopathic medical school, I was astounded at the level of collaboration and inclusiveness at STFM; it was something I had not witnessed even in my own field of higher education.

As I sat at a table drinking coffee and choosing my next seminar from the conference program, a man, Lawrence Bauer, sat at my table and inquired as to what school I was representing. When I told him I was from UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine, he immediately engaged me in a conversation that led to an on-going nine year involvement in STFM, and specifically in the North East STFM. Larry, as most of us know him, played the role of mentor, he was encouraging, helpful and always energizing. He asked me if any of our osteopathic faculty would be interested in presenting at the NE STFM conference in Philadelphia. I eagerly replied, “YES, of course, they would,” and with that he asked me to send in the faculty proposals within a week after my return from the conference.

Up to this point, none of the osteopathic faculty in our Department had participated in, or presented papers at, any of the STFM conferences; however, that was about to change. Upon my return from the conference, I spoke with several faculty who were actively involved in HRSA grants and they indicated that they were willing to present at the NE STFM Conference. We sent five faculty presentations to that first conference and that was just the beginning. This one time, per chance meeting with Larry Bauer, led to the UMDNJ-SOM, Department of Family Medicine’s participation in over 38 scholarly presentations at the various STFM annual and regional conferences over the past nine years. Reflecting back on this encounter with Larry, I realized he did something very clever. He asked osteopathic physicians to offer their expertise, knowledge and skills and didn’t just assume that he had something to offer them. He made them feel that their contributions were important and welcomed.

Through these various presentations, our osteopathic family medicine faculty have shared their expertise, knowledge and skills in the areas of cultural competency, interdisciplinary training, interpersonal and communication skills, standardized patient methodology, health information technology and palliative care with many allopathic physicians. It has allowed our faculty to take leadership positions in certain topical areas; to join allopathic physicians in understanding the common goals and purposes that they share; and to learn together how to solve the many challenges confronting healthcare today. Through these programs and services, STFM has also provided a venue for osteopathic physicians to overcome a long history of non-acceptance by the allopathic profession. Having attended both osteopathic and allopathic conferences, it is my belief that both have much to gain from collaboration versus competition.

In answering the question of how does STFM create common ground? --- it is simple, they are inclusive; they encourage faculty scholarly activity; they provide intellectually challenging faculty development; and they work towards the ultimate goal of improving patient care. Although there are differences between osteopathic and allopathic philosophies, both have many more common goals – improved care for the patient; common concerns about health care policy and education; and common interests in scholarly activities and research.

Do osteopathic physician educators perceive that STFM is the right professional organization for them? My answer would be a question: “Is there one ‘right’ professional organization?” Based on our experience, we found STFM to be an excellent professional organization for academic osteopathic family medicine faculty. Do our faculty members still participate in AOA, ACOFP and AACOM, the osteopathic professional organizations? Absolutely, they want to maintain their roots.

Finally, are there organizational barriers that may limit DO teacher access to STFM? Yes, there are educational requirement barriers, conference scheduling issues and leadership communication issues to be resolved. But the benefits of osteopathic and allopathic collaboration far outweigh the challenges encountered in resolving these issues. I have witnessed our faculty members grow, gain, and learn from their participation in STFM and I have also witnessed allopathic physicians learn from our accomplishments.

As an educator on cultural competency and interdisciplinary training, I would encourage diversity within the medical profession, not just between physicians, but other healthcare professionals, also. It will enrich our profession and enhance the education we provide to future family medicine physicians.

Claudia A. Switala, M.Ed. Department of Family Medicine UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine

Competing interests:   None declared