Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institutions (OPTIs) are the academic sponsors and provide an enhanced quality assurance mechanism for all AOA-approved postdoctoral training programs. Partnerships and collaborations between academic medicine, hospitals and other community-based health care facilities are an integral part of OPTI.

While an OPTI provides a seamless continuum of osteopathic medical education, it also requires continuous educational assessment. AOA-approved internships and residencies continue to be reviewed on-site and OPTIs are reviewed regularly. This review includes a systematic self-study, and annual reporting of data on accreditation procedures established by the Council on Postdoctoral Training and Bureau of Professional Education. The goal is to assure the highest quality osteopathic graduate medical education.

Part of the OPTI accreditation process includes encouraging clinical medical education research. Research programs are available to osteopathic interns and residents throughout each year of training. These research programs are developed in conjunction with guidelines and requirements of osteopathic specialty colleges for residency training programs and the Council on Postdoctoral Training for internship programs.

OPTI Approval Resources:

AOA Basic Documents for Postdoctoral Training

List of Affiliated Partner Hospitals in OPTIs

OPTI Accreditation Handbook