Whether it begins by accident (Pasteur and Penicillin) or by intention (AT Still and Osteopathy), advances in human existence occurs through systematically collected serial observations. In the 21st century, human kind is constantly collecting observations. Eric Schmidt, the CEO of Google estimates that “every two days we create as much information as we did from the dawn of civilization up until 2003.”
When we use electronic billing, electronic medical records, or a credit card, we are providing systematically collected serial observations to humongous data sets that will be used to influence in the near future how we practice and how we live.
As osteopathic clinicians, we often look to Dr. Still for his insights he gained from his systematic observations for modern day medical advice and solutions. While it is important to recall and utilize Dr. Still’s perspectives, it is critical, and consistent with his directives, to assess his conclusions and to make further observations with modern technologies to advance the practice and understanding of osteopathy. To advance osteopathy not only through the eyes and hands of one person and one person’s patients but through the eyes, hands and patients of hundreds of DOs is a tremendous opportunity that DO-Touch.NET offers clinicians who want to actively participate in advancing osteopathy. DO-Touch.NET actively develops scientifically sound palpation training programs for its members, seeks out and promotes the most accurate and feasible tools for clinicians to use in their offices, and supports clinicians to contribute to the large data warehouse that osteopathy requires to make new observations to advance Osteopathy’s principles and practices.
As an update, the current monitoring adverse events study will be finishing at the end of the summer. It is critical for DO-Touch.NET to meet its goals for this and every project it takes on to build its reputation as a reliable source of sound osteopathic research. I hope every participant will do what it takes to meet their site goals. The membership continues to expand as a result of another productive annual meeting and AAO convocation. Our first manuscript from our study evaluating effectiveness and safety of OMT has been accepted and is undergoing final revisions prior to publication this fall. Our first NIH Grant has been submitted. Its goal is to advance our infrastructure to collect more accurate and meaningful data efficiently from your office. Also this summer, the network will be launching a study led by Karen Snider, DO, FAAO to perform a national assessment of the use of OMT in the pediatric population. All those who see pediatric patients, use an EMR, and are interested in participating in this study should contact DO-Touch.NET’s network manager Lisa Norman for more information. Data for this study should take no more than 1 day to collect!