Student perceptions of osteopathic manipulative treatment after completing a manipulative medicine rotation.
Recent studies have demonstrated a decline in the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) by osteopathic physicians, reflecting a trend that may begin in medical school. The authors used a questionnaire to examine the teaching and use of OMT in five rotations and the perceptions of 86 graduating osteopathic medical students of their experiences following their core manipulative medicine rotation. Most students indicated that they applied osteopathic principles sometimes (39.5%) or often (29.1%) during rotations. Forty-three percent of students rated their ability to apply osteopathic principles as average. The number of students who indicated that they rarely used OMT during their rotations was 31 (36.0%) for internal medicine, 21 (24.4%) for surgery, 23 (26.7%) for pediatrics, and 24 (27.9%) for obstetrics/gynecology. When asked why OMT was not used during a rotation, 47.2% of respondents cited time constraints, and 21.7% stated that their attending physicians discouraged the use of OMT. These results demonstrate a distinction between students' perceived level of osteopathic principles and skills and their application during clinical rotations.
Gamber
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RG
Department of Manipulative Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA. rjgamber@home.com
Gish
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Herron
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KM
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic; D010021:Osteopathic Medicine / Q000193:education*; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires