The Impact of Curricular Reform on Student Opinions of Their Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Education

Niedzwecki, Christian, The Importance of Curricular Reform on Student Opinions of their Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Education. Master of Science (Clinical Research and Education), May 2003; 56 pp; 3 tables; 3 figures; references, 28 titles Purpose. To assess the impact of a curricular reform, which was implemented over the academic year of 2001-2002, on student opinions of their Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) education at the University of North Texas Health Science (UNTHSC). Method. Existing data from a standard survey administered by the Academic Information Services (AIS) Department at the UNTHSC-TCOM was analyzed. Results. Scores between Class of 2003 and Class of 2004 in Semester 3 and Semester 4 showed significant differences trending towards greater satisfaction with understanding of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, with psychomotor skills, and with the way the course was taught. Conclusion. This suggests that curricular reform met its goals. However, this analysis alone should be only one part of a complete assessment of curricular reform. A complete assessment should include both quantitative measures (surveys and trends in examination scores), and qualitative information (focus groups, interviews, and objective structured clinical examinations).