You cannot expect to be exempt from this and other matters. I agree with Leon’s points and think that this and the practice framework consultation are very good examples of how we can be reflective personally as well as a profession [especially with regard to the revalidation document] and even more importantly show how we are different from physios etc.

Leon’s last paragraph alludes to the”price we have to pay”. I think that if we do all these things he lists then we are not only fulfilling a paper exercise but probably demonstrating good practice in our daily work perhaps without necessarily fully realising it. Reflective practice is not new and there are many practitioners of all disciplines who need “wake up calls”; better a “nudge” now compared to a “big shake up” later.

BE PREPARED because I think that before long we will be required to complete practice audits. I can remember the days when osteopaths were liable to VAT and there was all that extra record keeping and form filling demanded every quarter. A practice audit and self reflection will at least be more beneficial to the individual practitioner than this sort of bureaucracy.

It is important for all Osteopaths to take part in these consultation processes, because if only a handful do, then it could be assumed that the rest are in agreement with proposals or more importantly is there an apathy to these inevitable changes which might eventually turn into antagonism because they could not be bothered at the time.

Bob Burge

27th April 2009