Schulmedizin – Osteopathie Das Wissen zur Osteopathie und deren Akzeptanz bei Ärzten im Kanton Zürich

Item

Title
Schulmedizin – Osteopathie
Das Wissen zur Osteopathie und deren Akzeptanz bei Ärzten
im Kanton Zürich
Author(s)
Wiesend Konstanze
Abstract
Study Design
qualtitative social research study
Outline/Problem Definition
Complementary and alternative medicine, osteopathy being considered a part of which for the purposes of this study (Rüdiger 2003), is gaining in popularity. International studies show a positive attitude towards and growing interest in alternative medical practices on the part of the general population (Ernst 200, Thomas 2001, Ben-Arye 2008). This development is contrasted by the criticism of lack of scientific evidence and of proof of effectiveness launched by conventional medicine, policymakers and the media (Benini 2009, Stadler 2009, NZZ 2009, Deutsches Ärzteblatt 2007). Among both advocates and adversaries of alternative medicine, a marked lack of information or of knowledge of therapeutic facilities can be observed.
Research Question & Objective
•What is the state of knowledge of osteopathy and its areas of indication by physicians in the Canton of Zurich?
•What do respondents think about the acceptance of osteopathy in the Swiss health marketplace?
•Why do some physicians cooperate with osteopaths?
•Why don’t some physicians cooperate with osteopaths?
•What do physicians know about the training of osteopaths?
•Is there criticism of osteopathy on the part of physicians?
•Is there endorsement of osteopathy on the part of physicians?
Hypothesis
Osteopathy is only partially accepted by conventionally trained physicians in the Canton of Zurich. There is a noted lack of knowledge and information concerning osteopathy and its areas of indication
Relevance for the Patients
The better informed physicians are about osteopathy, its areas of indication, its target groups and its techniques, the more specifically they can recommend osteopathic treatment.
Relevance for Osteopathy
The more physicians know about osteopathy, the better known osteopathy will be. By virtue of its rising popularity, osteopathy has had to face increasing criticism and question its own dogmas and approaches. This should result in an strengthened scientific base for the discipline just like it has been demanded more and more by policymakers and the media as well as within osteopathic circles themselves.
Methodology
This study adopted the format of a qualtitative social research study. A questionnaire adapted by the author was sent to 972 medical practioners via e-mail. The adaption was based on three earlier papers, (Seewald, 2007; Gobet, 2006; Eppensteiner, 2006) which previously utilised in similar surveys.
The pollees were chosen according to their area of specialization and the existence of e-mail addresses according to the FMH (Foederatio Medicorum Helveticorum) list. The selected areas of specialization were: general practice, gynecology and obstetrics, pediatrics, internal medicine, orthopedics/rheumatology, and dentistry/orthodontics.
A reminder was sent after three weeks. The survey period lasted six weeks. From 972 physicians 96 returned the questionnaire. That means a drop-out rate of 90%, which puts the representativity of this poll in question. Both the poll and its evaluation were anonymous.
Results
The results of this study show that the majority of responding physicians approve of the presence of osteopathy in the health marketplace. Only a few are critical or even dismissive of this form of therapy.
The areas of indication of osteopathy, its techniques and the structures it works with, however, are little known.
The main reason why physicians do not cooperate with osteopathy is its perceived lack of scientific evidence and proof of effectiveness.
The main reasons for a physician to cooperate with osteopathy are that the patient has already consulted an osteopath, that s/he considers osteopathy an effective method of treatment or that s/he can’t help any better him- or herself at the moment. Most responded that osteopathy is a form of therapy supplementary to conventional medicine.
Critical Reflection/Perspectives/Conclusions
The drop-out rate of 90% disputes the representativity of this poll in question.
Additional Information
presented at
Wiener Schule für Osteopathie
Date Accepted
2009
Date Submitted
1.11.2009 00:00:00
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
German
Number of pages
110
Submitted by:
62
Pub-Identifier
14643
Inst-Identifier
781
Keywords
Physicians,Schulmedizin,Ärzte
Recommended
0
Medium
WiesendKonstanze_2009_deutsch_engl.pdf
Item sets
Thesis
Media
WiesendKonstanze_2009_deutsch_engl.pdf

Wiesend Konstanze, “Schulmedizin – Osteopathie Das Wissen zur Osteopathie und deren Akzeptanz bei Ärzten im Kanton Zürich”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/2913