Osteopathic Recognition Track

Program Goals

Through a variety of innovative curricular experiences integrated throughout the three years of residency (see below), Designated Osteopathic residents in our Family Medicine Program will have a unique and specific set of knowledge and skills with distinct behavioral, philosophical and procedural aspects related to the four tenets of Osteopathic medicine:

• The person is a unit of body, mind and spirit
• The body is capable of self -regulation and self-healing
• Structure and function are interrelated
• Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of body unity, self-regulation and interrelationship of structure and function.

This will make you a highly skilled primary care physician capable of approaching patients with in-depth knowledge of Osteopathic Principles and strong skills-based approaches to acute and chronic medical conditions.

Logistics

Prior to entering as a designated Osteopathic resident, applicants should have sufficient exposure to osteopathic philosophy and the techniques of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). Educational background should include, but is not limited to: osteopathic philosophy, history, terminology, and code of ethics; anatomy and physiology related to osteopathic medicine; indications, contraindications, and safety issues associated with the use of OMT; palpatory diagnosis, osteopathic structural examination, and OMT. This could be satisfied by graduating from an Osteopathic Medical School.

If an allopathically trained resident expresses interest in Osteopathic Recognition (OR) they will have access to an equivalent of 200 training hours in Osteopathic Principles and Practice during their three years with us. Acceptance of residents into the ORT will be at the Director of Osteopathic Education’s discretion.

OMM Clinic

Designated Osteopathic Residents will be assigned to OMM clinic every month. Patients will be scheduled for 40 minutes. Initial visit will include history, osteopathic structural exam and appropriate focused physical exam, discussion of treatment plan with the attending physician and treatment with OMT (Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment). Residents are encouraged to treat their patients in continuity clinic. ACGME has requirements on attaining patient encounter numbers we will discuss with you.

Didactic Presentations

Designated Osteopathic Residents will be expected to complete the following:

1. Present a topic from the Osteopathic Principles and Practice Core Curriculum  each year (PGY2/PGY3)
2. Resident led didactic with integration of OPP with a core Osteopathic faculty for DO/MD Grand Rounds (PGY2/PGY3)
3. Resident- led Journal Club with Osteopathic content (PGY2 or PGY3)

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Educational Experiences Include

• Family Medicine and Internal Medicine Teaching Service
• Inpatient Pediatric Service
• Subspecialty Rotations, including Maternity Care and Child Health, Geriatrics and Surgery

While on inpatient and subspecialty services, designated Osteopathic residents may be asked to present one or more patients with a complete Osteopathic assessment and treatment plan.  

FAQs

How does the Osteopathic Recognition complement the other required residency rotations? Does this training take the place of other rotations? 

This is a longitudinal curriculum. Residents learn the additional educational material gradually over all 3 years and the information is integrated into a variety of the core family medicine rotations. Designated Osteopathic residents are given time during selected rotations to learn about additional Osteopathic approaches relevant to primary care. Monthly OMM didactics and semi-annual conferences allow residents to dedicate time to learning hands-on skills from OMM specialists. Designated Osteopathic residents still complete all the same residency rotations as their peers.  The goal, first and foremost, is to produce well-trained and highly skilled family physicians; Osteopathic recognition offers the opportunity to apply additional knowledge in OPP and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine to the benefit of all patients.

What are the educational requirements of Designated Osteopathic Residents?

1. Participate in assigned activities including didactic sessions, noon and quarterly conferences, assigned OMT clinics, didactic presentation assignments, subspecialty clinics and inpatient assignments.
2. Completion of Osteopathically focused scholarly activity.
3. Completion of Osteopathically focused Journal Club
4. Completion of 4-week OMM elective PGY2/PGY3 year if the resident did not graduate from a COM
5. Attend 4 of 6 OMT updates offered through NEOMEN. Attendance at a local AOA conference is encouraged. There are several opportunities free to residents.
6. Complete and pass the AOBFP certification exam recommended

How much time will the program take to complete?  

The curriculum is longitudinal over 3 years of your family medicine residency.

MD residents may need to set aside one of the available PGY2/PGY3 elective months for additional training activities.

How do I apply? Is there a separate match application?  

There is not a separate match application for this track.  Residents interested in pursuing this track follow all the usual residency applications procedures and when you arrange your interview, indicate that you have an interest in hearing more about the Osteopathic Recognition.  You will have the opportunity to ask more questions about the track during your interview and can tell us at that time if you’d like to be considered for the track.

Who are the CMMC FMR faculty with training in Osteopathic Medicine? 

Margo Goodman, D.O., C-NMM/OMM

Paige Picard, D.O.

Christopher Decker, D.O.