An investigation into the incidence of and reasons why patients become attracted to their osteopaths.
Item
- Title
- An investigation into the incidence of and reasons why patients become attracted to their osteopaths.
- Author(s)
- Stapleton Joseph
- Abstract
- The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of patients becoming attracted to their osteopath. It was also trying to explore the reasons why this situation might occur. It was also hoped to suggest strategies to deal with the situation when it did arise, and thus to be utilised as a learning tool for newly qualified osteopaths.The design was a questionnaire posted to 120 registered osteopaths in the United Kingdom, to result in mainly quantitative and some qualitative data. The questionnaires (with stamped addressed envelopes) were sent out in early November 1998 to be returned by the end of December 1998. A total of 62 (51.66%) were returned.The results showed that patient attraction for their osteopath was a common occurrence. 64.8%(n=35) of the respondents thought that it was common. Reasons for it occurring were varied, but included, patients experiencing marital/partnership problems and stress at work.Comparing physical aspects of osteopathic treatment to emotional/supportive nature of treatment as a possible cause for patient attraction, 43.5%(n=27) thought that physical aspects were important, whilst 80.6%(n=50) thought that the emotional aspect was an important factor.Many comments were offered on how to try and avoid the situation occurring, and how to deal with it if it did materialise. The commonest themes were to maintain professional boundaries at all times and to engage in clear unambiguous communication.
- Abstract
- presented at
- British School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 1999
- Date Submitted
- 11.8.2000 00:00:00
- Type
- undergraduate_project
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 12273
- Inst-Identifier
- 780
- Keywords
- Relationships,Sexuality,Doctor-Patient Relationships,Patients,Osteopaths
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Stapleton Joseph, “An investigation into the incidence of and reasons why patients become attracted to their osteopaths.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 14, 2024, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/2201