The AAO Journal, 2025/06, 35(2):22. doi: 10.53702/i2375-5717-35.2.13, type of study: ,css,

Full text    (https://aaoj.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/aaoj/35/2/article-p13.xml)

Keywords:

confidence [12]
covid-19 [140]
cross sectional study [894]
diagnosis [412]
medical students [694]
OMT [3924]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [3945]
osteopathic medicine [2109]
USA [1752]
utilization [28]

Abstract:

Introduction/Background: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a cornerstone of the Osteopathic profession in providing holistic, self-healing, and patient-centered care. To augment OMT training, Soft Tissue Clinic Experience (STCE) was created to increase 1st and 2nd year medical students’ exposure to history taking, musculoskeletal assessment, and use of OMT. While COVID-19 halted STCE in 2020, training resumed in 2021. We hypothesize students who volunteer in the STCE will have more confidence diagnosing somatic dysfunction, performing OMT, making physical contact, and use OMT more frequently. Methods: IRB approval was obtained (MWU-21068). An anonymous, voluntary, online survey was deployed to 3rd and 4th year medical students in 2021 and 2024. Students who didn’t participate in the STCE served as controls. Data was analyzed with SigmaStat(14.5), a two-way ANOVA determined the effect of STCE and pre- vs. post-COVID-19 effects on outcomes. Results: For both surveys, the response rate was >40%, with >23% of respondents participating in STCE. Participation in the STCE led to significantly greater confidence in OMT diagnosis (p<0.001). However, performing OMT, comfort with physical contact, and use of OMT only improved with the STCE in pre-pandemic students (p<0.05) despite a significantly higher interest in OMM in 2024. (p<0.001). Conclusion: STCE improves student confidence with OMT diagnosis, performing OMT, comfort with physical contact, and usage of OMT. These skills may have been attenuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research is needed to determine if online learning, social distancing, as well as opportunities and/or attitudes toward OMT shifted post-pandemic at rotation sites. These data are a call to the profession for additional engagement and support of student education at the rotation sites, with a focus on OMM.