Perceptions of the Osteopathic Profession in New York City's Korean Communities

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge of and barriers to osteopathic medicine in Korean communities in New York City. Design: A cross-sectional study was designed in which a culturally appropriate survey in Korean and English versions was administered anonymously to measure community perceptions and knowledge of osteopathic medicine. Setting: Data collection occurred in the municipal delineations for the Bayside neighborhood within the New York, New York borough of Queens. Participants: Community members were selected using convenience sampling from high-density areas to participate. The survey included demographics, education level, health care habits and knowledge of the osteopathic profession. Results: 105 surveys were conducted with 47 males and 58 females, with an average age = 66. Only 14% (n=15) indicated knowledge about osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) and 9% (n=9) indicated knowledge of osteopathic physicians (DOs), with the primary language spoken at home (Korean) as the sole statistically significant factor in recognition of OMM and DOs among the study variables. Conclusion: Compared to research on the general U.S. population, a general lack of knowledge of osteopathic medicine exists within New York City's Korean community. Although this difference may be ascribed to linguistics and ethnosociological factors, greater outreach and education is needed in urban minority communities to make immigrants aware of all health care resources available during the current shortage of primary care physicians in the U.S.

Assessing the Knowledge of the Osteopathic Profession in New York City’s Eastern European Communities

“… Russian survey adapted by Chin et al from prior surveys on osteopathic recognition in ethnic minorities [ 4 - 6 ]. This survey has been validated through Institutional Review Board review and reviewed in Russian by a physician at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine who actively practices osteopathic manipulative medicine and is a Diplomate of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners in Medicine and Surgery.…”

“…With allopathic physicians serving as the primary healthcare provider in their native countries, many immigrant communities may have never been exposed to DOs prior to re-establishing healthcare in America. Previous studies on osteopathic recognition have delved into this effect in Asian communities and the overall American population, but none have investigated Eastern European or Russian-speaking enclaves [4][5][6][7][8].…”

“…This study aims to investigate osteopathic awareness by assessing the familiarity of DOs and OMM in one of the nation’s largest Eastern European diasporas - New York City, New York’s Brooklyn, and Queens boroughs. Greater osteopathic outreach and education are needed in these communities to increase access to primary care providers and alternative care options for chronic pain management [ 4 , 5 ]. This project expanded on previous frameworks on research in minority communities whose primary language is one other than English and further characterized potential barriers that may exist in hindering access or utilization of OMM and, by extension, overall healthcare.…”

Inhibiting the Musculoskeletal Pathological Processes in Post-knee Replacement Surgery With Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: A Systematic Review

“…Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a series of techniques used to diagnose and treat somatic dysfunctions in order to restore homeostasis and return of bodily function [10]. The use of OMT is well documented in low back pain and other pain management scenarios; however, limited research exists on its use in the perioperative management of chronic knee osteoarthritis [11][12][13][14]. In addition to the obesity epidemic, the recent opioid crisis has placed greater scrutiny and interest in non-pharmaceutical methods for pain management, especially with an increasingly aging population in the US [15].…”

Recognizing Traditional Chinese Medicine Customs during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Report

“…In comparison, Western medicine focuses more on diagnosis through empirical measures such as imaging and blood work, with disease management accomplished through single-molecule pharmaceuticals. These diagnostic and treatment approach variations present unique challenges for patients and healthcare providers alike when interacting for the first time, often resulting in miscommunication, misdiagnosis, and mistreatment [3,4] .…”