August 2003

MDs recognize their musculoskeletal training limitations

“officially” recognized their limitations in musculoskeletal training. That official recognition is limited to a resolution (Resolution 310) being discussed in committee in the American Medical Association House of Delegates.

The resolution states, in part:

“Whereas, musculoskeletal problems are a leading cause of pain and disability in our society …

“Whereas, all physicians need to understand the basic principles of diagnosing and treating such conditions in order to be able to properly care for their patients; and

“Whereas, medical schools should provide physicians with this base level of knowledge; and

“Where, according to a recent study, 82 percent of recent medical school graduates examined failed to demonstrate basic competency in musculoskeletal medicine …

“Resolved, that our American Medical Association strongly urge our medical schools to formally reevaluate the musuculoskeletal curriculum with the input of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the orthopaedic subspecialty organizations …”

According to Garrett Cuneo, executive vice president of the American Chiropractic Association, “This is an argument that George McAndrews has been making in his briefs — that our education is superior to medicine in this area. The AMA adopted the resolution with an amendment, indicating that it supported the intent of the resolution, but that it wasn't within their purview to require curriculum changes.”

Source: American Medical Association, American Chiropractic Association

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