Access to clinical training sites and preceptors is widely recognized as one of the rate limiting steps to growth of the profession. Clinical preceptors open up their practices to students and spend time educating them on the proper clinical evaluation and treatment of their patients. 

Osteopathic physicians who participate as lecturers in osteopathic medical education in a didactic format are eligible to receive AOA Category 1-A credit for their participation. Credit is granted on an hour-for-hour basis.

Developed in 1996, the Standardized Performance Assessment Laboratory (SPAL) at Des Moines University gives medical students exceptional opportunities to experience clinical scenarios before they treat actual patients.