A retrospective study of the referral rates from osteopaths and associated pathologies at the London School of Osteopathy

David de Andrade                                                                                             Supervisor: Derrick Edwards

Abstract

The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence and type of referrals from osteopaths to other healthcare practitioners. In so doing it was hoped to infer aspects of the role osteopaths play as primary care practitioners, with respect to screening of serious pathologies. 

A retrospective survey of 199 case histories was made from the records at the London School of Osteopathy (LSO). Several categories were recorded: The age, sex, type of occupation, previous diagnosis, current diagnosis, referral and number of treatments. 

The findings from the study were a total of 29 referrals from 199 case histories sampled (14.5%) which were either written or verbal. Of these referrals 20 were to GPs, 3 to complementary practitioners, and 3 to allied health professionals.

The study indicated that the majority of presentations at the LSO student clinic were of none complex musculoskeletal injuries of patients between the ages of 20 and 40 and of mainly traumatic, postural and degenerative causes. This supports the initiative to manage musculoskeletal injuries early and reduce the prevalence of acute injuries becoming chronic injuries. There appears to be a high prevalence of postural and degenerative change in diagnoses, which suggests the need to asses diagnoses of functional conditions more definitively. Given the nature of presentations and referrals, osteopaths have a significant role to play in treating musculoskeletal presentations in primary as part of primary care teams and networks supporting the screening of pathological conditions.