Osteopathic Physicians

According to the American Osteopathic Association, the number of osteopathic graduates has increased about 63 percent in the last decade, and has grown nearly 300 percent in the past three decades, making osteopathic medicine one of the fastest-growing health professions in the country. The AOA also notes that "as the profession grows, it's also trending younger, especially among actively practicing female physicians." To meet the growing demand, more than a dozen new osteopathic medical colleges have opened their doors since the mid-1970s. In addition, the U.S. Department of Labor reports that demand for physicians (both M.D.s and O.D.s) will increase by 7 percent through 2028, faster than average pace.