JAOA -- Table of Contents (December 2005, 105 [12])

LETTERS:

Developing Professionalism of Osteopathic Trainees Through Mentorship: KCOM's "Societies" Model: Stephen D. Laird, Julia E. Mcnabb, and Susan A. Coon
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2005 105: 532-533. [Full Text] [PDF]

Ripple Effects of Terrorism: Tyler Cymet
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2005 105: 533-534. [Full Text] [PDF]

Response: Gail Dudley and Robin B. Mcfee
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2005 105: 534. [Full Text] [PDF]

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment of Somatic Dysfunction Among Patients in the Family Practice Clinic Setting: A Retrospective Analysis: John C. Licciardone, Kenneth E. Nelson, Thomas Glonek, Sandra L. Sleszynski, and des Anges Cruser
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2005 105: 537-544. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Although a large number of osteopathic physicians enter family practice, relatively little has been published about contemporary use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in this practice setting. In this original contribution, the authors begin constructing an "epidemiology" of somatic dysfunction, assessing prevalence and severity data for somatic dysfunction encountered in the family practice setting, as well as characterizing physician use of OMT. In addition, the authors formulate a novel composite measure based on prevalence and severity indices, which they term the "burden" of somatic dysfunction. Using this new measure, they were able to group anatomic regions using cluster analysis. The authors analyzed patient data gathered from three university-based, osteopathic family practice clinics. This data comprised 1331 patient encounters and 424 adult patients. Somatic dysfunction was diagnosed in almost one-third of patient encounters. In one-quarter of patient encounters, investigators used OMT.

Surgical Care in the 21st Century: Donald P. Bartkowski and Nicole T. Bonter
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2005 105: 545-549. [Full Text] [PDF]
Several technological advances--including virtual endoscopy, virtual reality, augmented reality, and telesurgery--have irreversibly changed the practice of surgical care in the United States. The authors review a number of technologies that are reshaping surgical care, in areas ranging from preoperative diagnostics and planning to intraoperative navigation and robotic surgery. They also discuss projected technological advances, anticipated patient demands, and how economic reality may affect the use of these technologies. The authors recommend that surgeons look at emerging technologies with open, yet always critical, minds--embracing changes to patient care that are based on stringent evidence-based outcomes, while not losing sight of the importance of maintaining close patient-physician relationships.

Survey of Osteopathic and Allopathic Residents' Attitudes Toward Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: Brian A. Allee, Michael H. Pollak, and Karen F. Malnar
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2005 105: 551-561. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Although more than 50% of new osteopathic physicians receive their residency training in programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education rather than in programs approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the implications of this training pattern for trends in the practice of OMT are not well understood. The authors conducted separate surveys of osteopathic and allopathic medical residents to evaluate their attitudes toward OMT. The authors report that their analyses confirmed two hypotheses: (1) osteopathic physicians who receive postdoctoral training outside of traditional osteopathic programs are less likely to use OMT, and (2) because more allopathic graduates are being exposed to OMT by virtue of practicing alongside increasing numbers of osteopathic residents, there is an increasing interest on the part of allopathic physicians in learning OMT and using it in their practices.

Use of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome: Robert N. Pedowitz
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2005 105: 563-567. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS) is one of the most common lower extremity injuries in athletes, especially in long-distance runners. Although rest, ice, heat, stretching, and anti-inflammatory medications have been effective in helping athletes return to competitionlevel training, athletes still miss much time in their sports as a result of ITBFS. The author presents the case of a 30-year-old distance runner with ITBFS whose symptoms were reduced with the help of the counterstrain technique. This is the first report to document OMT for a tender point located approximately 2 cm proximal to the lateral femoral epicondyle. The author's report reflects an initial identification of the distal iliotibial band tender point and the use of the counterstrain procedure as a new therapeutic option for patients with ITBFS.

Like AOA Custom Publications, JAOA Now Offers Uniform Life Span for Quizzes: Carolyn Schierhorn
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2005 105: 573. [Full Text] [PDF]
Editor's note: This article was first published in the August 2005 issues of The DO magazine and JAOA and will be republished periodically, as space allows, as a public service announcement to AOA members.

CME CERTIFICATION OF HOME STUDY FORM: J Am Osteopath Assoc 2005 105: 576. [PDF]