An investigation into the profile of osteopaths practising in Switzerland
Item
- Title
- An investigation into the profile of osteopaths practising in Switzerland
- Author(s)
- Herzig Maureen
- Abstract
- Background: The Swiss osteopathic profession has undergone significant changes since regulations were implemented in January 2007, setting new rules for inter-cantonal exams and governing ability to practise from 2013. Objective: The aim of this study was to gain an insight into the demographics and current practice patterns of osteopaths in Switzerland. Design: A questionnaire survey, based on the Snapshot Survey conducted by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC 2001) in the United Kingdom and a similar study in France (Magnouat 2008). Method: A survey pack was sent to 250 registered osteopaths of the Swiss Osteopathic Federation (FSO-SVO). A proportion of members representing the 3 main national languages were randomly selected by the Ethical Committee of the FSO-SVO. Results: A 60% response rate was obtained (n=151). 51% of osteopaths (n=77) had qualified from full-time institutions and 43% (n=64) had originally trained as physiotherapists. 67% of the osteopaths (n=102) graduated from a Swiss college. 71% of participants (n=107) worked primarily alone, whilst 21% (n=32) worked mainly in a team. Osteopaths trained in Switzerland tended to be younger, have less years experience in practice and be more likely to practise only osteopathy. Conclusion: The results suggest that osteopathy is flourishing in Switzerland. However, there may be 2 distinct groups of osteopaths, those who have been trained for a number of years and were initially physiotherapists, and a younger group of newly qualified Swiss-trained osteopaths.
- Abstract
- Background: The Swiss osteopathic profession has undergone significant changes since regulations were implemented in January 2007, setting new rules for inter-cantonal exams and governing ability to practise from 2013. Objective: The aim of this study was to gain an insight into the demographics and current practice patterns of osteopaths in Switzerland. Design: A questionnaire survey, based on the Snapshot Survey conducted by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC 2001) in the United Kingdom and a similar study in France (Magnouat 2008). Method: A survey pack was sent to 250 registered osteopaths of the Swiss Osteopathic Federation (FSO-SVO). A proportion of members representing the 3 main national languages were randomly selected by the Ethical Committee of the FSO-SVO. Results: A 60% response rate was obtained (n=151). 51% of osteopaths (n=77) had qualified from full-time institutions and 43% (n=64) had originally trained as physiotherapists. 67% of the osteopaths (n=102) graduated from a Swiss college. 71% of participants (n=107) worked primarily alone, whilst 21% (n=32) worked mainly in a team. Osteopaths trained in Switzerland tended to be younger, have less years experience in practice and be more likely to practise only osteopathy. Conclusion: The results suggest that osteopathy is flourishing in Switzerland. However, there may be 2 distinct groups of osteopaths, those who have been trained for a number of years and were initially physiotherapists, and a younger group of newly qualified Swiss-trained osteopaths.
- presented at
- British School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2010
- Date Submitted
- 31.5.2011 00:00:00
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Pub-Identifier
- 14928
- Inst-Identifier
- 780
- Keywords
- Switzerland, osteopathic medicine, osteopathic manipulation, musculoskeletal manipulations, chiropractic, physiotherapy, orthopaedic, physical therapy
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Herzig Maureen, “An investigation into the profile of osteopaths practising in Switzerland”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 15, 2024, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/1824