Osteopathic Physicians in Primary Care, Texas 2003

Miller, Thaddeus L., Osteopathic Physicians in Primary Care, Texas, 2003. Master of Public Health (Health Management and Policy), December 2003, 62 pp., 11 tables, 4 illustrations, bibliography, 51 titles. Physician demographics were examined to determine if female osteopaths differ in choice of practice specialty and location in Texas. Taken relative to gender and medical degree type female osteopaths have the highest rate of primary care practice, with over 70% engaged in family or general practice, internal medicine, or pediatrics. Female osteopaths have an odds ratio 4 times greater than other physicians to practice primary care. Female osteopaths are also 2.5 times likelier than female allopaths to practice rural primary care. Male osteopaths are 2.3 times likelier than other physicians to practice rural primary care. Primary care osteopaths are 1.4 times likelier to practice rural primary care than allopaths. Policy intended to produce primary or rural primary care physicians should encourage medical school candidates to consider osteopathy.