Osteopathic Practice Standards: feedback from the consultation

In February, the GOsC received the final report of the Osteopathic Practice Standards consultation from independent consultants Hewell Taylor Freed and Associates, which conducted the consultation on our behalf. To gather views, Hewell Taylor Freed and Associates conducted around 100 interviews with osteopaths representing a range different practice types, and hosted 12 focus group meetings across the UK, involving a further 160 osteopaths. They took account also of 160 electronic and postal responses to the consultation document.

Responses from the consultation were very positive, with 97% of respondents agreeing that it was a good idea to combine the Standard of Proficiency and Code of Practice into one document. Over 70% of respondents also considered that the Osteopathic Practice Standards document was an improvement on the previous Standards and Code documents.

Many respondents wished to understand more clearly how the GOsC would apply the Osteopathic Practice Standards in our regulatory functions. Linked to this, there were concerns about the use of the word ‘must’ in the Guidance.

Some other issues highlighted in the feedback are listed below.

The use of the term ‘diagnosis’

Respondents pointed out that it is not always possible for an osteopath to make a definitive diagnosis, as further investigations or a trial of treatment can be necessary in order for the osteopath to properly understand the patient’s problem. Some thought that it was not possible for an osteopath to consistently meet a standard that required a ‘diagnosis’.

Civil proceedings and personal conduct

Feedback indicated concerns about the guidance that requires an osteopath to report to the GOsC if civil proceedings, relating to their practice of osteopathy, were issued against them. Some responses also raised concerns that an osteopath’s conduct in his/her personal life may impact unfairly on their professional life.

Consent

The consultation generated much discussion about the guidance relating to the communication of risks and obtaining patient consent. Areas of concern for osteopaths included how to identify and quantify the risks associated with osteopathic treatment and how to recognise when implied consent is sufficient or when verbal or written consent are necessary. There was also a call for clarity on the law relating to consent from children in all four UK countries.

The feedback report

The range and quality of the feedback on the draft Osteopathic Practice Standards received by Hewell Taylor Freed & Associates was exceptionally good and we intend to publish the full feedback report on this website.

We are extremely grateful to all osteopaths who took the time to consider the draft standards and provide invaluable insight and recommendations.

Next steps
The Osteopathic Practice Standards Working Group, charged with overseeing the development of the new standards, studied the consultation feedback in depth and made recommendations to the Council for further revisions to the draft document.

It is intended to publish the new osteopathic standards this summer. They will then take effect in summer 2012.