Room for ‘Quality’ Improvement?

Yvonne McNiven 

This study sought to compare the Midwifery Profession with the Osteopathic Profession. These have been chosen due to the similarity in size of its members, the aspect of professional autonomy and the point of care delivery that they provide.

Midwifery is long established and well integrated within the National Health Service. The Profession has learnt over many years how to adapt and survive in the rapidly changing health care market. Midwives have had to constantly change and update their practice as more and more research has been conducted. Midwifery is a dynamic career with straightforward laws and professional standards protecting the professionals who choose that occupation as well as the public who have to use that service.

Osteopathy is very young in professional terms having established itself with the Osteopaths Act in 1993. The challenge for the General Osteopathic Council was not necessarily to convince the public that osteopathy works, but rather to convince established practicing osteopaths that Regulation was the right way forward. Most standards are now in place, research has begun and students graduating from osteopathic education have a much better understanding of what is expected of them.