BIOMEA/SOMA Poster Competition Criteria
Eligibility: The poster session is open to all in the global profession; abstracts must be based
upon international experience. To be eligible for the student competition, participants must
be a SOMA member.
Judging: Judging for the student poster competition will be carried out by members of BIOMEA
and SOMA. 1st place winners in both the research and outreach categories will be awarded a
$300 prize; 2nd place in each category will be awarded a $200 prize. All four winners will be
invited to give a 20 minute presentation during the International Seminar.
Research Abstract Criteria: The information presented in the abstract must be original, not a
duplicate and not previously published. All research-based abstracts must have a clearly stated
Hypothesis, Materials and Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
*Institutional IRB is required for submission of all research based/clinical investigation
abstracts, download a copy from the link on the webpage.
Outreach Abstract Criteria: The outreach program must have been carried out after October
30, 2013.
Poster Requirements: Posters are not needed until the day of the Seminar. The size of the
poster should not exceed 4’x4’. Please present the poster in person at the Seminar or, if you are
unable to attend, please notify Verna Bronersky and she will provide the mailing address, no
later than September 5, 2014.
Sample 1
Category: Outreach – 2nd Place
Holistic, Patient-Centered Care in Taiwan Correlates with Osteopathy
Amanda Wu S. Liu, OMS; Chin Yi Chen, MD; Taipei Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Dr.
Athena Liu, PhD; Taiwan Site Coordinator; Touro University College of Osteopathic
Medicine - California
Background: With advances in medical imaging, laboratory studies, and sub-specialization, U.S.
physicians focus solely on diseases and abnormal findings. Patients are constellations of signs and
symptoms to be cured or managed. However, many studies have shown that holistic, patientcentered care correlates with higher efficacy, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction. As an
osteopathic student, I conduct my studies and patient encounters in the framework of
osteopathic principles by first and foremost appreciating each individual as a single unit of body,
mind, and spirit. To raise awareness and foster discourse around holistic patient-centered
medicine, I aim to examine the prevalence of disintegrated medical care in other developed
countries.
Methods: Through the Touro University Global Health Program Taiwan summer internship at
Taipei Hospital, I rotated in oncology, nephrology, cardiology, and neurosurgery. I shadowed in
outpatient clinics, hospital rounds, ICU, and hemodialysis units; participated in acupuncture
workshops, departmental meetings, case conferences, and various labs; assisted in surgical
operations; performed and presented full History and Physicals. I also directed fellow students in
an interdisciplinary case presentation on colorectal cancer. After witnessing medical practice
across diverse specialties in vivo at Taipei Hospital, I reviewed literature on medical practices and
quality of care in Taiwan and the U.S.
Results/Conclusions: Medical care at Taipei hospital is holistic and patient-centered. Doctors
(M.D.) regardless of specialty see patients as unique, whole persons instead of disintegrated
diseased systems. The breadth and depth of their knowledge of the patients translates into
effective communication and high patient compliance. Doctors address all aspects of the patients’
wellbeing. For example, in addition to mainstay cancer treatments, oncologists provide
acupuncture, herbal remedies, traditional Chinese manipulations (similar to OMT), extensive
patient education and counseling. This holistic medical care helps patients to not only conquer
malignancies but also maintain optimal quality of life. Furthermore, in randomized informal
interviews, patients perceive the quality of medical care as high. They express genuine gratitude
towards and respect for their doctors. In the era of medical data explosion, these physicians do
not lose sight of the big picture. They provide care based on principles profoundly similar to
those of osteopathy. Partnering with their patients, they facilitate the body’s self-healing
processes to find, restore, and maintain health.
Sample 2
Category: Research
Classification of Musculoskeletal Conditions in Medically Underserved Regions in Peru
Neha Patel, OMS; Emily Eubanks, OMS; John Daniel Murchison, OMS; Chelsey Swaiko,
OMS; Elaine Wallace, DO; Robin Jacobs, PhD, Nova Southeastern University College of
Osteopathic Medicine
Hypothesis: Understanding and elucidation of acute and chronic musculoskeletal somatic
dysfunction in regional areas of Peru has yet to be achieved and remains a priority for the World
Health Organization. Existing literature for this area poorly characterizes musculoskeletal
conditions, specific to body region and type of pain. Anecdotal data indicates that developing
countries in South America are experiencing increases in work-related musculoskeletal disorders
and that there is an expanding need for interventions that target improved health and management
of somatic dysfunction.
Materials and Methods: To evaluate acute and chronic musculoskeletal dysfunctions in the Piura
region of Peru, patients aged 19 to 83 years (M=46.5 years; SD=18.56) receiving medical care
during an NSU-COM medical outreach trip as part of student community service, were invited to
complete an anonymous one-page questionnaire that ascertained generalized and specific
musculoskeletal pain experienced in the past 7 days and in the past year. Survey items also included
age, sex, height, weight, occupation, general health, number of physician visits in the past year, pain
in the past year and pain in the past 7 days. The survey was offered in Spanish and took
approximately 10 minutes to complete. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.19 statistical software.
Results: The sample (N=65) consisted of 71% women and 29% men. Twenty-two percent had
not seen a physician in the past year, 25% saw a physician once, 19% saw a physician twice, and
14% saw a physician 3 times. In the past year, women reported more neck pain (r=-.262, p < .05),
older respondents saw physicians more often (r = .343, p < .01), and younger respondents reported
more pain in the elbow (r = -.406, p < .05); wrist/hand (r = -.241, p < .05); knee (r = -.352, p <
.01); ankle/feet (r = -257, p < .05). In the past 7 days, younger respondents reported more pain in
the hip/thigh (r = -.237, p < .05) and knee (r = -.408, p < .01).
Conclusion: Data from this study will assist in determining which treatment modalities, including
osteopathic principles and procedures, will be most beneficial when considering the development
of health care services and in generating guidance protocols for future medical providers practicing
in this region.