Jason Cook Supervisor: Graham Smith
Abstract
Aim: To investigate to which category of healthcare (conventional or complementary/alternative) osteopathy is perceived to belong by conventional healthcare practitioners and patients of osteopaths. It was hoped this would provide an indication as to osteopathy’s likely future healthcare role and thus the expectations placed upon it by patients and mainstream healthcare.
Method: The two groups selected were conventional medical professionals (general practitioners, midwives and podiatrists) and patients of osteopathy. Qualitative data was collected via questionnaires for each group. Data amenable to statistical comparison was analysed for a significant difference between or within the groups, whilst other data was interpreted qualitatively.
Results: Both groups consider osteopathy to be a complementary therapy that is effective for musculoskeletal complaints. They described osteopaths as primary healthcare practitioners and supported the extension of osteopaths’ responsibilities to include direct referral to medical specialists including orthopaedic and neurological consultants. Support for drug prescribing and joint injection prescription and administration by osteopaths was not in the majority. All parties favoured closer working between GPs and osteopaths, quoting patient benefit and patient-led individual treatment as reasons. This echoes the current Department of Health philosophy and is indicative of a closer relationship developing between the professions.