The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 2007/08, 107(8):363. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2007.107.8.327, type of study: ,css,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Full text    (https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.7556/jaoa.2007.107.8.327/html)

Keywords:

attitude [170]
cross sectional study [894]
medical students [694]
OMT [3924]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [3945]
osteopathic medicine [2109]
USA [1752]

Abstract:

Hypothesis: The investigators surmise that osteopathic medical students at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCUMB) will be more likely to use Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) in the future if: their 1st choice of medical school was osteopathic, they practice OMT outside of class/clinical, and they plan on entering primary care. The investigators also hypothesize those students who observe preceptors using OMT will be more likely to use OMT themselves. Materials and Methods: With IRB approval, all KCUMB students (approx 950) were e-mailed requesting their participation in a 17 question survey. Results 271 responded, with 63% reporting D.O. school as their 1st choice. Prior to medical school, 27% had OMT performed on them and 44% had observed OMT being performed. 49% want to enter primary care, 23% a medical specialty, 19% a surgical specialty, and 9% “other”. 41% reported their OMT skills are not adequate to treat patients currently. 41% reported adequate skills, and 18% were unsure. Almost half (49%) felt instruction received to date has prepared them to use OMT. 30% feel unprepared and 21% are unsure. 38% never practice OMT outside the lab/clinic, 53% practice 1-2 hours/week and 9% practice 3 or more hrs/week. 22% were very likely to use OMT in their practice and 39% somewhat likely. 24% are not likely to use OMT. 100% of students felt OMT was at least sometimes efficacious for musculoskeletal disorders, and 79% of students for non-musculoskeletal disorders. Of students who have had rotations, 77% worked with at least 1 physician who uses OMT. Conclusions: Students have a positive attitude towards OMT, and find it at least sometimes efficacious. 63% chose osteopathic medical school as 1st choice, 49% plan on entering primary care and 61% practice OMT on their own. 60% of students are somewhat likely to use OMT in their practice. Positive behavior modeling by preceptors performing OMT, and continued emphasis on OMT in education may continue to encourage students to use OMT as physicians, keeping alive a distinguishing characteristic between osteopathic and allopathic physicians.