The OMM student clinic at WVSOM was created to provide osteopathic medical students with supervised experience in osteopathic evaluation and treatment of community patients before leaving for clinical rotations, in order to solidify student confidence in practicing OMM. Based on the results of our surveys, we feel this goal has been accomplished. If student confidence in OMM continues, students who have had the benefit of the WVSOM student clinic will presumably be more likely to maintain their skills and confidence in OMM through their residency training years and incorporate it into their clinical practices. This positive outcome would fulfill the goal of the WVSOM OPP Integration Project, as well as that of the recently established American Osteopathic Association Core Competency 1, Osteopathic Philosophy and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: “...train a skilled and competent osteopathic practitioner who remains dedicated to life-long learning and to practice habits in osteopathic philosophy and manipulative medicine.”
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The authors thank James R. Stookey, DO, and Michael K. Cope, PhD, for their support and assistance in the establishment of the student clinic at WVSOM. The authors also recognize Thomas L. Shaver, DO, for his vision in the creation of the program; Darlene F. Wright and Eric S. McClanahan, BA, OMS III, in the data collection, analysis, and writing of this paper; and Cathleen B. Kearns and Erin D. Burns, BA, for their critical review of this paper. Finally, the authors thank the WVSOM faculty members in the department of osteopathic principles and practice who assisted in the development of the student clinic: David R. Essig-Beatty, DO; Catherine Hayes, DO; David L. Hyler-Both, DO; and William W. Lemley, DO.