Effects of a structured curriculum in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) on osteopathic structural examinations and use of OMT for hospitalized patients

Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a defining feature of osteopathic medicine; however, use of OMT by osteopathic physicians is declining. Recent studies reveal that many osteopathic physicians are abandoning use of OMT as early as medical school. Current national efforts are aimed at reversing this trend by standardizing osteopathic medical records and clinical training in OMT. The authors found that a structured clinical curriculum in OMT taught to house staff significantly increased the percentage of patients who received osteopathic structural examinations and the percentage of patients who received OMT as part of their hospital care.