An exploratory study into the ethos of osteopaths working in animal practice
Item
- Title
- An exploratory study into the ethos of osteopaths working in animal practice
- Author(s)
- Clerc-Renaud, J
- Abstract
- An exploratory study into the ethos of osteopaths working in animal practice Introduction_A paucity of studies investigating the osteopaths experience treating animals was found. The aim of this dissertation was to explore the current ways to practice osteopathy in the animal field in England and gain an insight into the experience of osteopaths working in animal practice. This was to gain a better understanding of using osteopathy in animal practice. This mainly unique research would have potential implications for individual osteopaths and for the osteopathic profession. Methods_ A mixed method design with quantitative and qualitative data gathering was used. The descriptive statistics used to analyze the questionnaire-based survey aimed to present the background and ways of practice of osteopaths treating animals. This was to provide a background for the phenomenological approach to the research investigation. The thematic framework analysis was chosen to help interpret the results of five semi-structured interviews of a purposive and convenience sampling of osteopaths working in animal practice. Both the questionnaire and the interview process were initially piloted.Results_The survey response rate was 52% (n-30). This gave an overview of the respondents'background: gender, age, training modes and ways of practice. However, the sample was too small to generalize the findings to the whole population. Three key themes/concepts were identified as having influenced the interviewees' experience in animal practice: (1) motivation; (2) development; (3) barriers. A conceptual model showing the interactions between these three concepts was developed. Discussion Although the results suggested a strong motivation towards the osteopathic profession in the animal field, it also emerged that motivation was modulated by external and internal factors. This was corroborated by the literature and the idea of job satisfaction and burnout was introduced to shown the interaction between the concepts of motivation and barriers. The osteopaths in animal practice were shown to be human osteopaths continuing their professional development into the treatment of animals. The consideration of _animal osteopathy' as an independent profession was therefore discussed and might be viewed from different perspectives. The lack of organisation and qualification harbours the general feeling of misunderstanding of osteopathy in animal practice as well as the non-development of this branch of the profession and the professional status of osteopaths in animal practice. Conclusion Even if osteopaths are confronted by a number of barriers within their profession, the motivation towards osteopathy is strong and they see potentials for the acquisition and development of a distinct professional status within the overall development of the profession.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2012
- Date Submitted
- 22.1.2013 16:23:35
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 15211
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Interviews of osteopaths. Veterinary osteopaths, Veterinary osteopath training.
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Clerc-Renaud, J, “An exploratory study into the ethos of osteopaths working in animal practice”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2024, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/854