Learning abnormal physical examination signs: an introductory course.

Context: The acquisition of clinical skills is an essential part of the osteopathic medical school curriculum. Preclinical medical students, especially at osteopathic medical schools, have limited exposure to abnormal physical examination (PE) findings that are not typically seen in a student's peers or in a standardized patient (SP). The early exposure of first-year medical students (MS1s) to normal and abnormal findings in the simulation settings better equips them to identify abnormalities when they encounter them in a clinical setting.