Osteopathic research: elephants, enigmas, and evidence.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The growth and acceptance of osteopathic physicians as conventional medical practitioners in the United States has also raised questions about the distinctive aspects of osteopathic medicine. Although the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and a focus on primary care are most often cited as rationales for the uniqueness of osteopathic medicine, an osteopathic professional identity remains enigmatic.

Discussion

The fledgling basic osteopathic research efforts of the early and mid-twentieth century have not been sustained and expanded over time. Thus, there is presently a scarcity of basic mechanistic and translational research that can be considered to be uniquely osteopathic. To be sure, there have been advances in osteopathic clinical trials, particu

SUBMITTER: Licciardone JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1808471 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature