There are more things in heaven and earth ⋯

The current lack of strong osteopathic educational standards in osteopathic medical schools is contributing to the general decline of identity within the osteopathic profession. The challenge is raising educational standards in osteopathic medical schools without relying on the allopathic model of a medical education. Schools need to incorporate osteopathic principles into the basic science classes and show how these principles can be applied in all specialties. Additionally, there should be caution in the expansion of student numbers. To address the decline of identity in the general profession, the entire osteopathic profession needs to agree on a basic working defi nition of osteopathic medicine and adhere to it. If these can be accomplished, the profession will begin to be able to clearly delineate in thought and practice how osteopathic medicine is distinct from allopathic medicine. However, if we cannot do this, we risk losing the separate osteopathic medical profession.