Paediatric osteopathy- a specialism? Exploring osteopaths’ views on education, support in practice, specialisation, regulation, and the role of paediatric osteopathy within healthcare. A phenomenological interview- based study.
Item
- Title
- Paediatric osteopathy- a specialism? Exploring osteopaths’ views on education, support in practice, specialisation, regulation, and the role of paediatric osteopathy within healthcare. A phenomenological interview- based study.
- Author(s)
- Netsah, M
- Abstract
- Title: Paediatric Osteopathy - A Specialism? Exploring Osteopaths’ views on education, support in practice, specialisation, regulation, and the role of Paediatric Osteopathy within healthcare. Introduction There are currently many discrepancies in the level of undergraduate training in paediatric Osteopathy. However, there is no regulation of practice or competence in this area. Paediatrics is a specialist area in conventional medicine. This study aimed to explore Osteopaths’ views on whether or not paediatrics may be regarded a specialism within Osteopathy requiring accreditation and regulation.Methods Purposive sampling was used to select participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data, which was audio recorded and transcribed. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to generate a thematic framework index. This was used to determine main themes and sub-themes and their interrelationships in regards to the study topics.Results 10 UK-registered Osteopaths with varying levels of experience and post-graduate education participated in this study.Analysis Data analysis led to the identification of 5 main themes and 39 sub-themes influencing the state of paediatric Osteopathy education and practice in the UK. The variability and possible inadequacy of undergraduate education as a complete preparation for practice, led to a need for further education. Practice considerations implicated a need and desire for further professional support in the forms of mentoring, networking, and a possible supported post-graduation year. Current levels of regulation were felt appropriate, emphasising self-regulation as a sufficient mechanism for ensuring the paediatric patients receive adequate quality of care, and are medically referred when appropriate.There was unanimous agreement on the distinction between self-proclaimed ‘special interests’ in certain areas of practice, e.g. paediatrics, and an accredited ‘specialist’ status, which is not currently available. Most participants mentioned significant differences between paediatric and adult practice, however there was some disagreement as to whether this warranted specialisation. However, paediatric Osteopathy was seen to have valuable roles to play in public health. However, many issues were presented as boundaries, including lack of evidence for the effectiveness of paediatric osteopathy, lack of recognition by the medical profession, and the perception that NHS involvement may restrict practitioner’s autonomy and freedom in practice.Discussion The findings support medical specialisation in healthcare as being led by a necessity for practitioners to have specialist knowledge/skills in order to decrease safety risks to patients.Conclusion The findings indicate that unless safety risks are found within Paediatric Osteopathy, there is no need, nor existing pre-requisite accreditation methods, for it to become a regulated ‘Specialisation’, but it is an extremely valuable facet of practice whose potential in improving general healthcare and social education is yet to be fulfilled.
- 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
- 15517
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Specialism, Paediatric
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Netsah, M, “Paediatric osteopathy- a specialism? Exploring osteopaths’ views on education, support in practice, specialisation, regulation, and the role of paediatric osteopathy within healthcare. A phenomenological interview- based study.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 17, 2024, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/647