The program’s goal is for the resident to have a complete, broad-based musculoskeletal training experience. As such, the program recommends that each resident complete at least one month in all musculoskeletal-related rotations at some point in their post-graduate training. The program director will meet with each candidate at the beginning of their training and consider their prior musculoskeletal-related rotations before completing their final schedule of core electives to be sure that all requirements are satisfied, and each resident is able to complete rotations fitting their individual goals. ONMM3 programs are able to count prior completed rotations from their prior residency towards the ONMM3 required rotations. Therefore, incoming residents who have completed these rotations in the past will have the option to spend more time in NMM rotations with core OMM faculty (general rotating or with topic emphasis – such as, but not limited to, pediatric OMM, visceral OMM, and acupuncture); more time on MSK elective rotations, such as rehabilitation or sports medicine with a regenerative medicine emphasis; or repeat MSK rotation(s) of specific interest to the resident.
Instructional Educational Activities
The OMM Department is committed to providing the complete spectrum of medical education for the resident doctor in training. Didactic and clinical education round out the residents’ training experience. In-house rotations, combined with up-to-date continuing medical education programs, are designed to provide the resident with maximum exposure to real-world challenges in musculoskeletal medicine.
Weekly anatomy review, OMM book club
- Regularly recurring journal club
- Weekly to monthly MSK Radiology rounds
- Optional sports medicine didactic and journal club series
Weekly dedicated 2-4 hour OMM didactic:
- Weekly palpation exploration and palpation skill enhancement
- Historical Osteopathic philosophy document review
- Historical hands-on Osteopathic technique review
- Hands-on Osteopathic technique review – to cover the basics of approach & technique of all osteopathic treatment techniques
- Cadaver anatomy review with anatomy staff &/or ONMM PD
- Longitudinal cadaver ultrasound-guided injection practice
- Exercise physiology
- Biomechanics & gait analysis
- Motor control physiology and functional rehabilitation assessment
- Exercise prescription from a functional & Osteopathic perspective
- Basic nutrition
- Regenerative medicine didactic & hands-on training
- Beginning to Intermediate diagnostic ultrasound evaluation – including extremity, spine, pelvis, and nerves
- Pain Medication Pharmacology review
- Training in lecturing, hands-on teaching and research design specific to NMM/OMM
Additional Required Educational Activities
40-hour basic cranial course sponsored by VCOM and delivered by VCOM ONMM Core Faculty, with 8-10 hours pre-course cadaver neuroanatomy review
- Intermediate OMT courses held at VCOM or nearby COMs
- Extremity Diagnostic & Cadaver Injection Musculoskeletal Ultrasound courses
- Nutrition & Hormone evaluation & treatment course focused on the chronic pain patient
- Attendance at annual AAO Convocation
Teaching and Research Experience
The ONMM3 residents will have the following responsibilities:
Lead OMM book club and journal club on an alternating basis with attending physicians
- Prepare and deliver at least 1 OMM lecture and lead 1 OMM lab for each the 1st and 2nd year students
- Prepare and deliver 2 OMM clinical based lab/lecture(s) for 3rd and 4th year OMS
- If an elective longitudinal academic rotation is chosen, the opportunity to table train regularly at VCOM’s Thursday afternoon 1st & 2nd year student OMM labs and receive education at faculty development meeting on teaching skills.
- Hold OMM content and hands-on review prior to finals for each teaching block for the 1st & 2nd year students
- Assist in the teaching of students & residents that rotate through VCOM Sports and Osteopathic Medicine (VSOM)
- Table train at other ONMM residency sponsored guest OMM conferences throughout the year
- Reading and Research. Many faculty have several longitudinal research projects that can be joined, or the residents may develop their own project if it fits within the confines of the 1-year program.
Other Resident Duties
Maintain a portfolio and written logs of ambulatory cases for all PGY4/5 year experiences (ambulatory and hospital)
- Use educational guidelines and other study guides provided during the residency
- Take the annual in-service examination and actively attend all of the AAO convocation
- Present research where appropriate at local, regional, or national meetings
What is recognized as an acceptable scholarly activity?
The participation of each resident in scholarly activity is required by ACGME prior to completion of the program. All planned resident scholarly activities must be discussed with the ONMM director prior to starting the project. The program emphasizes original research or retrospective reviews over a simple case study. Due to the many ongoing projects with core OMM faculty and our history of completing these, this is very attainable in the 1-year program with good planning.