Use of a novel assay to measure pre- to posttraining palpatory skills of first-year osteopathic medical students.

Context: Although palpation is a central skill in the practice of osteopathic medicine, few data are available on factors affecting the development of palpatory skills.

Objective: To use a novel palpatory skills assay to assess the role of training and practice in the development of palpatory skills in an osteopathic medical student population.

Methods: The palpatory skills of first-year osteopathic medical students were assessed using a simple, objective palpation assay that consisted of locating a dime placed under sheets of copy paper at depths of 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, and 400 sheets.