The scope of osteopathic practice has been a contentious topic throughout the history of the osteopathic profession. This issue came to the fore in the UK in 2009, when the GOsC produced the draft Osteopathic Practice Framework. The GOsC document caused much concern and debate within the profession. In response, a group of osteopathic postgraduate institutions (listed below) have produced an alternative Scope of Osteopathic Practice discussion document.
We believe that the Scope of Practice should be determined by the profession and that it should be a simple, clear statement of the fundamental osteopathic concept to which all osteopaths can subscribe. The essential question is can you practise ‘your’ osteopathy freely under this description?
We have been in discussions with the GOsC and have shared the document with the osteopathic undergraduate colleges. We wish now to involve the profession in the debate and are seeking your views. Once we have your views and comments we plan to meet further with all the osteopathic stakeholders to agree appropriate next steps. Your feedback will help to determine how it is best for all of us to move forward.
We urge you to contribute to this process, which will help to shape the future of the osteopathic profession. You can read and comment on the document online at scope.shapingosteopathy.org where you will also find a link to a short online survey which we hope you will complete. The survey is password protected for security. BOA members will find the password in the email accompanying June’s digital edition of Osteopathy Today. Alternatively, you can e-mail us at consultation@apdc.org.uk and we will provide you with the details.
We look forward to hearing what you think.
Nick Handoll
Coordinator for APDC (Association of Professional Development Colleges)
The APDC is constituted of the following organisations:
Osteopathic Centre for Children
Sutherland Cranial College
Osteopathic Pelvic, Respiratory & Abdominal Association
Institute of Classical Osteopathy
Sutherland Society
Society of Osteopaths in Animal Practice
Osteopathic Sports Care Association
Rollin E Becker Institute
British Osteopathic Association
I general it seems a fair attempt at a scope of practice document, however I think there are some very serious omissions. When I read the document my main concern is whereas its supposed encapsulate the fundamental osteopathic concept, it has unfortunately left it out. The introduction states “it sets out general principles for the osteopathic principles on healthcare” but nowhere in the document is the fundamental principle of the osteopathic aetiology of the disease mentioned. This is a unique factor of osteopathy. There is also no mention of the correlation between the understanding of alterations in physiological process’s and the somatic disturbances which relate to this within the overall context of the individual. I think these are fundamental to the issues and should be included.