Osteopathic International Alliance

Strategic Initiatives:

Access to Care

The OIA will facilitate patient choice by:
◾Informing and engaging national and international healthcare authorities to provide access and eliminate barriers to osteopathic care for their citizens
◾Providing responsible, accurate and transparent public communication about osteopathy and osteopathic medicine

Capacity to Serve

The OIA supports global collaboration and commitment to osteopathic:
◾Professional organization development and improvement
◾High quality educational standards and delivery
◾Research to inform best practices
◾Standards, regulation and legislative recognition distinct to the profession.

The OIA provides information and documentation about models of osteopathic education, training, accreditation, regulation and safe practices. We have developed a brochure to assist with education about the osteopathic profession and the Global Osteopathic Reports provide details and examples of existing models of both streams of the profession and how they function within national health delivery systems across a range of countries.

We also facilitate an annual global conference where member organizations can meet each other face to face and exchange information about successes and missteps when working to further the profession in their country. We facilitate connections and exchanges between members seeking regulation with those who have already achieved it in order to shorten their process and avoid wasting time.

In 2020 The OIA completed a Global Review of Osteopathic Medicine and Osteopathy, which illustrated the growth in the two professions since the prior review in 2013.

In February 2018 the OIA was admitted into official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), and is the primary voice of the osteopathic health care community on the world stage. In 2021 the WHO Executive Board voted to maintain official relations with the OIA.

The OIA connects resources from around the world in order to advance the further recognition and regulation of osteopathy and osteopathic medicine in more countries. We bring visibility to the profession on a global level and contribute greatly to" brand recognition." The OIA is also in official relations with the World Health Organization.

The OIA, in collaboration with the WHO, developed the Benchmarks in Practice of Osteopathy, and has completed two global surveys of osteopathy and osteopathic medicine to chart the growth of the professions as well as regulation. We have also provided support to member organizations seeking regulation of the profession in their home countries.