For example, a San Diego outpatient clinic recently conducted an independent study of a group of 41 physical therapists, four of whom were O.G.I. graduates. The study found that for a standardized set of categories, conditions and objectives, patients achieved satisfactory treatment levels with an average of 17 percent fewer visits when their therapists were O.G.I graduates as compared to the 37 non-O.G.I. therapists. The model for manual therapy education was originally developed in Norway in 1954. A post-graduate program was established in cooperation with the Norwegian National Physical Therapy Association. It includes studies in the evaluation and treatment of orthopedics, sports medicine, podiatry, rheumatology, neurology and cardio-pulmonary physical therapy.
Patient evaluation emphasizes functional analysis and tissue diagnosis.
It was taught under close clinical supervision over three full years. In Scandinavia this curriculum is referred to as manual therapy. The traditional interpretation of manual therapy in the U.S. is an approach to evaluation and treatment of joint dysfunctions as a sub-group of orthopedics. Our program is still called manual therapy, although orthopedics is a small, but important component of the total concept of rehabilitation. I.F.O.M.T. consists of member countries that meet the I.F.O.M.T. standards of theory, clinical supervision and practical exams.