Informed consent: A survey of graduating osteopathic students.

Item

Title
Informed consent: A survey of graduating osteopathic students.
Author(s)
Bird, J
Abstract
Informed consent is a central tenet in healthcare, yet its application has been found tobe particularly difficult and inconsistent in alternative medicine. Osteopathic guidelines from the GOsC compliment guidance laid out in law, ethical theory and clinical practice, but there has been no published research into the application of informed consent among osteopaths. The purpose of this survey was to assess attitudes and practices among final year students as they enter the profession. Methods A questionnaire from published studies into informed consent in the chiropractic profession was adapted for purpose and distributed to final year students at five Osteopathic Educational Institutions: British College of Osteopathic Medicine, British School of Osteopathy, European School of Osteopathy, London School of Osteopathy and Oxford Brookes. Responses were analysed globally and between OEIs. Hypotheses concerning confidence in guidance received and the concept of paternalism were tested. Data were also descriptively analysed and open responses examined for emergent themes. Results Responses from 101 students were analysed: 20 BCOM (44% response rate), 47 ESO (78% response rate), 20 LSO (87% response rate), 14 OB (60% response rate). 1 response from BSO was excluded because it could not be considered as representative of the institution. All respondents reported gaining informed consent at some time during examination and treatment but practices, attiludes and understanding varied considerably overall and between OEIs. The majority of students did not feel they had received adequate guidance on informed consent. A significant relationship was found between students attitudes regarding whether osteopathic practice is and should be paternalistic.Discussion Although respondents tended to report adequate practice, considerable variation in all aspects addressed by this survey indicates that the guidance laid out by GOsC is not being consistently adhered to. Less than half of respondents felt confident in the instruction they had received, and the conflict between attitudes of paternalism and a collaborative approach to consent testify to a lack of cohesion in comprehension and practice. Students from OEIs with a more rigorous syllabus regarding consent (BCOM and LSO) showed more uniformity in response suggesting the importance and impact of guidance provided at this stage of an osteopath's career. Conclusion While not representative of the entire population of graduating osteopaths in 2010, this study found mixed attitudes and practices, which highlight the responsibilities of OEIs in educating students about issues surrounding consent and enabling them to
become self dependent, competent practitioners and advocates of best practice in line with guidance set out by GOsC.
Informed consent is a central tenet in healthcare, yet its application has been found to
be particularly difficult and inconsistent in alternative medicine. Osteopathic guidelines from the GOsC compliment guidance laid out in law, ethical theory and clinical practice, but there has been no published research into the application of informed consent among osteopaths. The purpose of this survey was to assess attitudes and practices among final year students as they enter the profession. Methods A questionnaire from published studies into informed consent in the chiropractic
profession was adapted for purpose and distributed to final year students at five Osteopathic Educational Institutions: British College of Osteopathic Medicine, British School of Osteopathy, European School of Osteopathy, London School of Osteopathy and Oxford Brookes. Responses were analysed globally and between OEIs. Hypotheses concerning confidence in guidance received and the concept of paternalism were tested. Data were also descriptively analysed and open responses examined for emergent themes. Results Responses from 101 students were analysed: 20 BCOM (44% response rate), 47 ESO (78% response rate), 20 LSO (87% response rate), 14 OB (60% response rate). 1 response from BSO was excluded because it could not be considered as representative of the institution. All respondents reported gaining informed consent at some time during examination and treatment but practices, attiludes and understanding varied considerably overall and between OEIs. The majority of students did not feel they had received adequate guidance on informed consent. A significant relationship was found between students attitudes regarding whether osteopathic practice is and should be paternalistic.Discussion Although respondents tended to report adequate practice, considerable variation in all aspects addressed by this survey indicates that the guidance laid out by GOsC is not being consistently adhered to. Less than half of respondents felt confident in the instruction they had received, and the conflict between attitudes of paternalism and a collaborative approach to consent testify to a lack of cohesion in comprehension and practice. Students from OEIs with a more rigorous syllabus regarding consent (BCOM and LSO) showed more uniformity in response suggesting the importance and impact of guidance provided at this stage of an osteopath's career. Conclusion While not representative of the entire population of graduating osteopaths in 2010, this study found mixed attitudes and practices, which highlight the responsibilities of OEIs in educating students about issues surrounding consent and enabling them to
become self dependent, competent practitioners and advocates of best practice in line with guidance set out by GOsC.
presented at
European School of Osteopathy
Date Accepted
2011
Date Submitted
22.1.2013 16:23:35
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
English
Submitted by:
62
Pub-Identifier
15256
Inst-Identifier
1229
Keywords
Informed consent; Osteopathy
Recommended
0
Item sets
Thesis

Bird, J, “Informed consent: A survey of graduating osteopathic students.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2024, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/809