UK Osteopaths: A Review of Working Practices & Job Satisfaction

Amanda Miles                                                                                                             Supervisor: Mary Penn

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine working practices of UK osteopaths and to establish if there are any relationships between aspects of working practice and job satisfaction levels. The profession has come through a period of major change with the registration process in 2000, and has the potential for increased involvement with orthodox medicine. This study would appear to be timely against such a backdrop of change.

Methods: Following an initial pilot study, a postal survey of 300 UK osteopaths was conducted using a self-completion questionnaire, with covering letter and self-addressed envelope. Data analysis was carried out using excel spreadsheets for graphs, and graphpad instat for summary statistics, contingency tables and correlation coefficients 

Findings: 47% of questionnaires were returned. The results are in two parts; firstly descriptive of demographics, working practices, job satisfaction, and views on the profession, and secondly investigating links between aspects of working practices and job satisfaction. Job satisfaction levels were high for 96% of respondents. Results show that aspects of working life with most influence over osteopaths’ job satisfaction levels appear to be autonomy, workload, communication with other professionals, and variety of work. The most statistically significant results were found with regard to communication with other healthcare professionals and variety of osteopathic techniques used.