Osteopathy in elite sport: opportunities, career –paths and specialism- a qualitative study
Item
- Title
- Osteopathy in elite sport: opportunities, career –paths and specialism- a qualitative study
- Author(s)
- Smith, C
- Abstract
- Title Osteopathy in Elite Sport: Opportunities, Career Paths and Specialism – A Qualitative Study Introduction Osteopathic sports care is a new but growing field that is increasingly in demand from athletes and coaches. A number of osteopaths ‘specialise’ in sporting injuries and even provide services at the elite level. However little research exists into osteopathic sports care, especially within elite sport. This study investigated osteopath’s methods of appointment, perceived career opportunities within elite sports as well as views and experiences of sports osteopathy as a specialism. MethodQualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 9 osteopaths who had experience working with elite athletes. Interviews were analysed using a thematic framework. ResultsThree key themes were identified encompassing 20 sub-themes. A conceptual model was developed demonstrating the interaction between the four components of attributes, treatment approach, confidentiality ethics and patient management under the overarching construct of perception of ‘specialism’. These components highlighted the perceived differences of osteopaths treating elite athletes compared to the ‘general public’. The model also demonstrated the interaction between the factors of barriers, opportunities, employment methods and longevity under the overarching construct of employment, and the relationship between these factors and the components of the perceptions of ‘specialism’ construct. Discussion The study identified a perceived lack of opportunity in the field and a number of barriers were identified contributing to this. As such, current methods of employment are commonly due to fortuitous circumstances. A lack of undergraduate training seemed a common experience, though many found CPD training to be more extensive and more beneficial to their careers. Further to training, certain attributes were felt to be important in order to work within the field. Many of the participants felt working within elite sport and with elite athletes differed from working with the ‘general public’ and so some felt sports osteopathy should be considered a ‘specialism’. Differences included the participant’s approaches to treatment, patient management, confidentiality ethics and the presence and management of additional pressures and demands. Conclusion This study shows that whilst osteopathy is not considered to have specialisms, there appear to be a number of differences when treating elite athletes compared to treating the ‘general public’, which some feel warrant the labelling of sports osteopathy as a specialism. However there appears to be issues regarding the employment of osteopaths in the field due to a lack of opportunity, influenced by a number of perceived barriers.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2014
- Date Submitted
- 20.1.2015 16:43:40
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 15529
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Sports, Specialisation, Practitioner experience.
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Smith, C, “Osteopathy in elite sport: opportunities, career –paths and specialism- a qualitative study”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/635