OCMDG 1511: Osteopathic Principles and Practice I

This course introduces students to osteopathic clinical medicine with weekly lectures and laboratory experiences. Instruction begins with an orientation to the osteopathic profession including the distinctive contribution of the osteopathic profession to the delivery of health care, followed by training in professionalism and basic history and physical examination skills with emphasis on the osteopathic structural examination. Students will learn the proper use of diagnostic equipment, as well as palpatory techniques, identification of anatomic landmarks, evaluation of motion, and evaluation of soft tissues. Normal and abnormal findings are emphasized and illustrated through clinical cases. Students will learn how to take a complete history from a patient and practice the skill of patient presentation. Students will be taught the components of physician documentation and will practice patient care documentation multiple times throughout the course. The laboratory sessions reinforce lecture content and identify and develop the practical skills needed to diagnose patients and perform osteopathic manipulative procedures. The development of clinical reasoning skills is emphasized, and training is enhanced by guest lecturers, peer table-trainers, osteopathic scholars, history and physical experiences, cardiac and pulmonary simulation. Students are evaluated by H&P assignments, video quizzes, written examinations, laboratory participation, Standardized Patient Examination (SPE) practical, and two Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP) practicals.