Can M.D.'S acquire OMM training?

[vasodilator]

If one were to attend an allopathic school-where I assume that laregly OMM-type training isn't available-would they be able to acquire OMM training at any point within the curriculum?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[gasapple]

No. OMM encompasses tenets of what amounts to an osteopathic "Skull and Bones Society". There's even a secret handshake, for osteopathic physicians only.

 

[vasodilator]

Ohhh! I've always wanted the exclusivity of a secret handshake. I want to join, please?

That was scarcasm, right?

Digressions aside; serious responses, please.

 

[MaximusD]

Gas, once again you act like you own these boards. Something about this year's applicants... you guys are so snobby and sarcastic...
I guess it could be worse, you could have quit SDN like everyone from my year (minus spicedmanna).

Here is the answer:

Yes and no. While an MD can get continuing education credits in OMM and take elective courses in it, they will never fully understand how it integrates into medicine as an adjunct. That is bred into osteopathic physicians from the first week. Many choose not to use it, but those who do use it have had it integrated into their medical knowledge base from the get-go.

So yes, it is possible... but it's probably not the same as a DO's training.

Do a search next time.

 

[gasapple]

Gas, once again you act like you own these boards.

You'r so cute, I just want to pinch your little fat cheek.
Run along now and no more whining.

 

[gasapple]

Ohhh! I've always wanted the exclusivity of a secret handshake. I want to join, please?

That was scarcasm, right?

Digressions aside; serious responses, please.

You're in buddy. No prob.

 

[Bacchus]

Gasapple, we're not talking about the Free Masons.

 

[vasodilator]

Freemasons-I want to join them, too. That way, I can fulfill one more item on my bucket list:


1. Become a physician and change the landscape of medical culture and practice.
2. Become President of the United States of America by way of a super-secret organization even though I would be entirely unqualified for the position.
3. Subversivley manipulate the national/global economy in order to pad my own personal wealth through membership in the aforementioned secret organization.

 

[gasapple]

You're going to fit in 'round here mighty fine, Vaso. 😀👍

 

[RySerr21]

You'r so cute, I just want to pinch your little fat cheek.
Run along now and no more whining.

priceless

 

[TexasTriathlete]

In case y'all were wondering what I'm doing right now, I am trying to throw **** away and get everything organized for my big move in a little less than a month.

I decided to put in revenge of the sith to play in the background, while I do this. I forgot how much this douche haden christensen sucks ass.

Overall, probably not a terrible movie, but certainly not enough to make up for how ****ty the first two prequels were (and most of Jedi).

And the plot was pretty poorly thought-out for the entire prequel series. Star Wars is something precious from my childhood, and carelessness on the part of George Lucas has brought it down a couple notches.

Yoda would have been a good DO.

Posted via Mobile Device

 

[cbrons]

If one were to attend an allopathic school-where I assume that laregly OMM-type training isn't available-would they be able to acquire OMM training at any point within the curriculum?

they can learn OMM, it says so in the DO admissions guide

 

[metalmd06]

Here is the answer:

Yes and no. While an MD can get continuing education credits in OMM and take elective courses in it, they will never fully understand how it integrates into medicine as an adjunct. That is bred into osteopathic physicians from the first week. Many choose not to use it, but those who do use it have had it integrated into their medical knowledge base from the get-go.

So yes, it is possible... but it's probably not the same as a DO's training.

Do a search next time.

I asked the same question a month or so ago because I came across a resume at my office for an allopathic physician (PMR) who underwent a short fellowship and touted specialization in OMM. It was a little aggrevating to me that we will train for two years, meanwhile any licensed doctor can gain OMM training in 6 months to a year.

The responses on here were mostly from current students saying that OMM can be taught intensively to physicians over an even shorter span (2 months). Obviously I agree with you and believe the skill differences between a fully trained osteopathic physician and one who underwent such a course as mentioned.

Also, it may be disjointed from its original intent and less encompassing, as you mentioned.

 

[ShyRem]

A serious response. Harvard has an intensive OMM course that is taught to MDs by DOs. So, yes, MDs can learn OMM.

 

[DragonWell]

Short answer: Yes.

OMT is unique in some respects, but in the end, manual therapy is manual therapy, whether you call it massage, chiropractic, OMT, physical therapy, etc. Although DOs did invent some manual therapy techniques, at this point those which may be useful have disseminated throughout the manual therapy community, and are being taught and learned by PTs, massage therapists, MDs, DCs, etc. The 2 years spent in DO school learning OMT is peanuts - in most cases ~200 hours - and is by no means a guarantee that the student will gain any level of skill in OMT, much less hold on to any of these skills when they are largely abandoned in 3rd and 4th year. I have no doubt that an MD willing to study and practice OMT could easily achieve or surpass the level of skill possessed by most DOs.

BTW, One of our profs did a small study about teaching OMT to MDs.

http://www.stfm.org/fmhub/fm2005/November-December/James693.pdf

 

[SJonathan]

A serious response. Harvard has an intensive OMM course that is taught to MDs by DOs. So, yes, MDs can learn OMM.

Really? That's sweet! I'm going to tell that to everyone who thinks I'm applying to a voodoo dance cult.

 

[cliquesh]

I know an MD othropedic surgeon who uses OMM. So, yes, MDs can get OMT training.

 

[BobBarker]

Dr. Miriam Mills, MD is one of the OMM professors at OSU.

 

[MaximusD]

I stand by my contention that osteopathic physicians who learn OMM and take it seriously as it is integrated into the DO curriculum will have a more encompassing understanding of it than an MD who takes it as a supplemental course. There are exceptions to this rule, I'm sure... but we're scientists and outliers should be tossed out when discussing trends.

 

[facetguy]

Short answer: Yes.

OMT is unique in some respects, but in the end, manual therapy is manual therapy, whether you call it massage, chiropractic, OMT, physical therapy, etc. Although DOs did invent some manual therapy techniques, at this point those which may be useful have disseminated throughout the manual therapy community, and are being taught and learned by PTs, massage therapists, MDs, DCs, etc. The 2 years spent in DO school learning OMT is peanuts - in most cases ~200 hours - and is by no means a guarantee that the student will gain any level of skill in OMT, much less hold on to any of these skills when they are largely abandoned in 3rd and 4th year. I have no doubt that an MD willing to study and practice OMT could easily achieve or surpass the level of skill possessed by most DOs.

Good answer. In the manual therapy world, the lines do get blurred, with techniques and skill levels coming down to individual practitioners, not necessarily the type of formal training. Just like most things, proficiency in manual therapy takes practice and dedication of focus.

If an MD were to have a strong desire to learn manipulation techniques, such training is out there. (Honestly, though, I don't think there are many/any MDs who have had this desire. Most DOs don't even have this desire.)

I also agree with Maxi's notion of the value of full integration of manual therapies right from the start of training.

 

[scpod]

....I have no doubt that an MD willing to study and practice OMT could easily achieve or surpass the level of skill possessed by most DOs.

A trained seal could surpass the level of most of the DOs in my hospital. I know of one that uses it often....well, that should be one that uses it at all. I've ehard there are some more who do, but never met them. There is actually an OMM room in an unused portion of the 4th floor. I've been there once. Did some soft tissue and cervical HVLA on the next chief of staff of the hospital. But, OMT has never even come up with my patients. I'll admit that it would be interesting to see if it could improve the lives of some of my COPD and CHF patients....but I could probably help them more if I could just get them to stop smoking.