Exploring and Explaining the Dynamics of Osteopathic Regulation, Professionalism and Compliance with Standards in Practice
Research Report, General Osteopathic Council, London, February 2015.
188 Pages Posted: 14 Feb 2015
Date Written: February 13, 2015
Abstract
This study identifies the regulatory activities that best support patient safety and enhancement of quality of care, finding that formative spaces for reflective discussion are vital for effective regulation. Academic researchers at Warwick Business School, University of Oxford Saïd Business School, University of Melbourne, University of Nottingham, and the British School of Osteopathy conducted the research among osteopaths, patients and osteopathic organisations in order to explore the factors that support, encourage or inhibit osteopaths from practising in accordance with the Osteopathic Practice Standards. Commissioned by the UK General Osteopathic Council, this study answers the research questions: What regulatory activities best support osteopaths to be able to deliver care and to practice in accordance with the Osteopathic Practice Standards (OPS)? What factors inhibit osteopaths from practising in accordance with OPS? What factors encourage osteopaths to practice in accordance with OPS? The research included literature reviews, an online survey (completed by 809 osteopaths, 17% of registered osteopaths in the UK), semi-structured interviews with 55 people (including 37 osteopaths) involved in and affected by osteopathic regulation, as well as health professional regulation more broadly. This research establishes an important evidence base on which to build effective osteopathic regulation and identifies key recommendations where improvements are needed.
The research reports were published in February 2015 and are available for download.
Main Report: Exploring and explaining the dynamics of osteopathic regulation, professionalism and compliance with standards in practice Appendix 1: Osteopathy Practice, Profession and Regulation Literature Review Appendix 2: Regulation Literature Review Appendix 3: Survey Questionnaire Appendix 4: Survey Results
Keywords: regulation, healthcare, professions, osteopathy
JEL Classification: I18, M12, L3
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation