The AAO Journal, 2007/12, 17(4):23-27, type of study: ,css,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Free full text   (https://www.academyofosteopathy.org/aaoj)

Keywords:

cross sectional study [894]
medical education [684]
medical students [693]
OMT [3925]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [3946]

Abstract:

In the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, osteopathic medicine has become the fastest growing segment of the healthcare profession in the United States. Many new osteopathic medical colleges have been established and more will be opening in the near future. Are we sacrificing quality for quantity? Will these students become “true” osteopathic physicians dedicated to the principles of the profession? In an effort to answer these questions, a blinded survey was taken of the inaugural class of LECOM/Bradenton, one of these new osteopathic colleges. As the class of 2008 approached the end of their second year of study, they were questioned about their confidence level in performing OMM, but more importantly, they were asked about their intention of using OMM in their medical practice. This survey showed that almost half (49%) of the students were undecided if they would or would not use OMM. The major determining factor for these ambivalent students will be their experiences during their third and fourth year clinical rotations and during their post-graduate programs. If we wish to see these students become “true” osteopathic physicians dedicated to the principles of the profession; it is critical that they experience DO role models, who incorporate osteopathic principles into their medical practices during the clinical phase of their training.