Do Students of Osteopathy consider the Domain Theory when Formulating an Osteopathic Evaluation and Diagnosis

Anusia Vadgama                                                                                Supervisor: Robin Kirk

“Those who think that osteopathic art is simple or elementary have a woefully shortened perspective. In reality it plumbs the very deeps of existence. It has manifold contacts. It is a cross-section of the living---of life, which is an art”.

Carl Phillip McConnell, D.O.

The Osteopathic Art, 1935. 

Abstract

The aims of this study was to investigate firstly the awareness of the Domain Theory with reference to the students of the London School of Osteopathy in a clinical environment. Secondly whether they were able to apply the awareness in the treatment and management of their patient. Thirdly to review whether the students are aware of the underlying concepts of holism upon which the Domain Theory is based.

A questionnaire was designed to assess the awareness and application of the Domain Theory using a Likert scale. The fifth, fourth and a few third year students from the college were asked to take part in the study.

With regards to the subsystems the understanding and recognition of the subsystems cognitive, physical, psychological, affective, social and spiritual, within the Domain Theory provided with a result of 80%, this indicated a high level of therapeutic awareness amongst the students that this theory was relevant to their patient’s health. The study found that 90% of the students viewed that the “ whole is greater than the sum of the parts”, this too indicates that they were considering “holism” within the case-history taking in the clinic and assessing their patients health with a holistic approach.

The results with regards to the application of the Domain Theory was 55%, using the concepts during the case-history taking, and 63% using it during their differential diagnosis, with 57% using it during evaluation. However an average of 72.50% students applied this theory during treatment and management. 

The study found that the hypothesis was valid with most students showing high levels of awareness of the Domain Theory within their therapeutic interaction in awareness, holism and in its application.

Also assessed was which subsystem was the least and most used in the clinic environment.