Variables influencing the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment in family practice

A questionnaire was mailed to 2000 randomly selected osteopathic physicians to assess use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). In all, 1055 responses were summarized for the study. The contention is supported that OMT is being used less and less by practicing physicians. Only 6% of the respondents treated more than 50% of their patients with OMT, and nearly one third used OMT on less than 5% of their patients. A progressive de-emphasis of OMT use correlated with more recent graduation from osteopathic medical colleges. Thirty-eight percent of the variance regarding OMT use was attributed to two factors: barriers to use, and OMT protocol used. Perceptions by physicians of insufficient OMT training were not predictive of decreased use of OMT. Significantly more OMT was used in solo practice as opposed to other settings. The results present a wake-up call for the osteopathic medical profession. The profession must strive to remove barriers that preclude OMT use by justifying to policymakers, health professionals, and the public the cost-benefits of OMT in holistic healthcare.