To investigate the knowledge and awareness that veterinarians have of osteopathy and their preference for patient referral to other manual therapies.

Gwen Yim                                                                                                                     Supervisor: Ian Harrison

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the knowledge and awareness that veterinarians have of osteopathy and their preference for patient referral to other manual therapies.

Null Hypotheses:

1. There is no relationship between veterinarian’s knowledge and

awareness of osteopathy and their referral rates to osteopaths. 

2. Veterinarians have no preference for referral to known manual therapies such as hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and acupuncture.
3. Veterinarians have no preference for feedback from manual therapists. There is no relationship between feedback and a positive influence on future referrals.

Method: A questionnaire was posted to one hundred veterinary practices that were randomly selected from the greater London area from the 2004 Directory of Veterinary Practices.

Results: A total of 48 responses were returned. Two were returned unanswered, leaving a valid response rate of 46%. The null hypotheses were:

1. Veterinarians do not refer to osteopaths due to their lack of knowledge and awareness of osteopathy. This was accepted.
2. Veterinarians have a preference for referral to known manual therapies such as hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and acupuncture. This was rejected.
3. Veterinarians prefer feedback from manual therapists about their patients. Feedback positively influences future referrals. This was rejected.

It was observed from the responses that 63% of veterinarians said they were unsure that osteopathy would benefit their patients, 26% said that they believed that osteopathy would benefit their patients and 11% believed that osteopathy would not benefit their patients. 89% of veterinarians do not refer patients to osteopaths while only 11% claim to refer patients to osteopaths. 30% of the respondents say that they are unaware of osteopathy and its benefits. The respondents were asked which other manual therapies they refer to and the response was hydrotherapy 40%, acupuncture 32% and physiotherapy 24%. The majority of respondents valued feedback, even when they had not referred to the therapist (65%). 81% said it would positively influence future referrals.

Conclusion: 

The majority of veterinarians are unaware of osteopathy and how it could benefit their patients. Provision of information about physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and acupuncture at veterinary school is significant in influencing referrals to these modalities.