The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
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The current continuing medical education (CME) cycle began on January 1, 2007, and will end on December 31, 2009. The author provides an update on trends in osteopathic CME programs, details minor changes to the requirements for Category 1 CME sponsors accredited by the American Osteopathic Association, and describes new online CME opportunities. The current article also explains changes regarding the American Osteopathic Association's awarding and recording of CME credit hours for osteopathic physicians who have specialty board certification. In addition, the article includes information to assist osteopathic specialists and subspecialists in requesting American Osteopathic Association Category 1-A credit for courses accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
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J Am Osteopath Assoc · Mar 2009
Dual and parallel postdoctoral training programs: implications for the osteopathic medical profession.
Graduates of osteopathic medical schools have several options when considering postdoctoral training programs. In addition to traditional programs approved by the American Osteopathic Association or those accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, students can train in programs accredited by both institutions (ie, dual programs) or osteopathic programs that occur side-by-side with allopathic programs (ie, parallel programs). In the present article, we report on the availability and growth of these two training options and describe their benefits and drawbacks for trainees as well as for the osteopathic medical profession as a whole.
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J Am Osteopath Assoc · Feb 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialCranial palpation pressures used by osteopathy students: effects of standardized protocol training.
Descriptions of subtle palpatory perceptions in osteopathic cranial palpation can be misperceived by students. Thus, adequate dissemination and replication of cranial palpatory techniques is challenging for osteopathy students. ⋯ Palpatory training was ineffective in improving student practitioners' precision of cranial palpation performance. Quantitative feedback of palpation pressures during training may improve outcomes. To our knowledge, data on palpation pressures used during osteopathic cranial manipulation have not been reported previously in the medical literature.
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Debilitating chronic nonmalignant pain is often managed using opioid medications. However, with increased use of this drug class comes concern about adverse effects on patients' endocrine function. ⋯ In addition, the authors describe symptomology for opioid-induced endocrinopathy as well as diagnostic testing options. Treatment modalities for those afflicted with this condition are also described.
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J Am Osteopath Assoc · Jan 2009
ReviewAcute kidney injury: new concepts in definition, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is increasingly recognized in all fields of medical practice. Unfortunately, this syndrome has been plagued by inconsistent definitions, simplistic pathophysiologic schemas, and insensitive diagnostic tools. ⋯ Prompt recognition and treatment of AKI remain the cornerstone of clinical management for this high-mortality, high-cost syndrome. The authors provide the most recent updates in the definition, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment options for patients with AKI, providing a stepwise approach to clinical evaluation for use in all fields of medical practice.