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Final Program


Final Program

142 - Understanding PM&R Exposure in Osteopathic Medical Education: A Study of Interest, Access, and Institutional Support

Friday, February 28, 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM MST
Objectives: This study explored factors influencing interest in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) among osteopathic medical students, focusing on the impact of access to various resources. Our findings identified educational gaps and proposed strategies to enhance student support.

Design: An online survey was developed featuring short-answer and binary questions. The survey was distributed through the American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AOCPMR) to student members and affiliated chapters, as well as advertised on social media.

Results:

Of the 73 respondents from 24 osteopathic schools who participated, 38 were in pre-clerkship, and 35 were in clerkship. Of these, 44 had prior knowledge of PM&R. Interest sources included pre-med experiences (16), faculty (14), and social media (9). Sixty-six respondents had a PM&R interest group, and many belonged to national organizations: 50 in AOCPMR, 24 in AAP, and 22 in AAPM&R. Twenty-four had attended a national PM&R conference, with cost (30) and travel (21) being the main barriers.


Thirty-one respondents reported PM&R opportunities at their schools (e.g., lectures and shadowing). Forty-six knew alumni who matched in PM&R. Forty-five participants had PM&R-trained faculty, translating to only 17 students with PM&R-related research experience. Interest in additional PM&R resources was high, with 33 students desiring an increase in all surveyed resources.

Conclusions:

This study reveals significant variability in PM&R exposure among osteopathic medical students, with many lacking access to crucial resources like mentorship and rotations. Early exposure to PM&R is vital for securing competitive residency spots and developing mentor relationships. Only 31 of 73 respondents reported available PM&R experiences, highlighting the need for a more consistent educational approach. Integrating PM&R into medical curricula and enhancing access to trained faculty and lectures is essential. National organizations should establish structured mentorship programs and financial support for professional development to ensure a representative and well-prepared applicant pool in PM&R.