Preliminary findings on the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment by osteopathic physicians

The literature suggests that the extent to which osteopathic physicians actually use osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and the factors that predict the use of OMT remain virtually unexplored. A mailed survey of practicing osteopathic physicians was used to query respondents about their use of OMT and about the effects of a number of factors on use of OMT. The survey showed that 71% of 100 practicing physicians used OMT with 5% or more of their patients, and 14% in 50% or more of their patients. Multivariate statistical procedures revealed that a physician's having learned a new OMT format since graduation from medical school was the primary predictor of the use of OMT, followed by interest in OMT during internship. The other predictor was whether the respondent had a family member who was also a DO. Physician's specialty, emphasis on OMT during graduate and postgraduate training, and the era during which DOs received their training were not significant predictors of OMT use. These results indicate a need for further research on OMT use and the variables examined in this study.