Strategic choices for a primary care advantage: re-engineering osteopathic medicine for the 21st century.
The rapidly growing area of osteopathic medicine takes us beyond high technology, life-saving equipment, or at least the most accurate diagnostic test. Whether it is called 'alternative', 'complementary' or 'holistic' medicine, it cannot be ignored as a legitimate healthcare choice, with well-defined benefits for healthcare consumers. This paper examines the history, development, philosophy of practice and challenges facing the viability of osteopathic medicine. More specifically, we address the following key questions: What is osteopathy medicine? What role does osteopathic medicine play in the provision of health services? What challenges face this professional group? And is osteopathic medicine an alternative approach to healthcare?
Glover
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SH
Department of Health Administration, School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208, USA.
Rivers
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PA
D000574:American Medical Association; D002321:Career Choice; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D005544:Forecasting; D006302:Health Services Research; D010021:Osteopathic Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends*; D010934:Planning Techniques; D011057:Politics; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011640:Public Policy; D012931:Social Environment; D012945:Social Values; D014481:United States