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Preclinical Musculoskeletal Curriculum Duration in US Allopathic Medical Schools
Lachlan F Anderson1,2, Erica R Olfson1,2, Joseph Mellberg1,2
1The Anne Marion Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas.
JB & JS Open Access
|March 6, 2026
Summary
Musculoskeletal (MSK) education in US medical schools is limited and inconsistent. This study found a widespread shortfall in MSK curriculum duration, regardless of school characteristics, highlighting a need for standardized guidance.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Musculoskeletal Health
- Curriculum Development
Background:
- Musculoskeletal (MSK) complaints are a leading cause of outpatient visits in the US.
- Medical school curricula often provide variable and limited MSK education.
- The influence of institutional factors on MSK instruction is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the duration and publicly reported features of MSK education across US allopathic medical schools.
- To provide a descriptive overview of the current national landscape of MSK medical education.
- To identify potential factors influencing MSK curriculum development.
Main Methods:
- Data were collected from 157 US allopathic medical schools regarding publicly available curricular information.
- Information on affiliated orthopaedic residency programs, US News & World Report ranking, AAMC region, and institution type was gathered.
- MSK curriculum duration was extracted where available, categorized as numerical, "No Length Listed," or "Not Listed."
Main Results:
- 78 schools reported extractable MSK curriculum duration, with an average of 5.9-6.1 weeks.
- 127 schools had affiliated orthopaedic surgery residency programs; 30 did not.
- MSK curriculum duration varied little across ranking tiers, geographic regions, or institution types (public vs. private).
Conclusions:
- MSK curriculum duration is consistently limited across US medical schools, irrespective of institutional or regional factors.
- There is a significant shortfall in MSK educational exposure for medical students.
- Standardized guidance is needed to ensure adequate MSK preparedness among future physicians.
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