Making a difference: the osteopathic approach lecture series

The Osteopathic Approach Lecture Series (Osteopathic AppLeS) was created in response to both the current need in the osteopathic medical profession for a distinctive osteopathic identity and lack of readily available information regarding an osteopathic approach. The series consisted of 16 lectures given to interns, externs, residents, and attendings at a community-based osteopathic hospital during a 10-month time span which emphasized and inculcated an osteopathic approach to patients with a variety of illnesses. Emphasis was placed on osteopathic manipulative treatment training throughout the series. Data were collected at individual presentations using a survey of participants and studied retrospectively. The results of the surveys indicated that using this type of presentation series may substantially increase confidence and knowledge in an osteopathic approach and osteopathic manipulative treatment skills.