Advanced search

Search results      


Exploring European osteopathic identity: An analysis of professional websites of European osteopathic organizations

Journal: Unpublished MSc thesis Wiener Schule für Osteopathie, Date: 2009/07, Pages: 179, type of study: qualitative study

Free full text   (https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/2863)

Keywords:

professional identity [29]
Europe [20]
osteopathic profession [57]
osteopathic medicine [1540]
osteopathic identity [25]
European osteopathy [1]
qualitative study [209]
WSO [433]

Abstract:

Study Design Introduction: A sociologically confirmed identity crisis in osteopathy exists in the USA. The crisis lies in the fact that the practical activity of the DOs is no longer sufficiently demarcated from the allopathic activity of the MDs. In Europe we find that differences in terminology and practices exist within the osteopathic professional group, making communication difficult between osteopaths. However, the distinctive identity of European osteopathy is an important precondition for defining a professional profile that would clearly demarcate osteopathy from other medical occupations and that would also set the ultimate goals for a qualitatively protected osteopathic degree program meeting the requirements for state recognition. The result would be improved communication among the osteopaths themselves and with outsiders, to the benefit also of the patient. Systematic, historical and comparative analysis of the literature and of websites Outline/Problem Definition - Research Question & Objective How do the national professional unions & registers and the international osteopathic organizations in Europe currently present osteopathy? Hypothesis - Relevance for the Patients - Relevance for Osteopathy - Methodology By means of an analysis of the literature we searched for the terms identity, identity crisis and professionalization in reference to osteopathy. To answer our main question: How do the national professional unions & registers and the international osteopathic organizations in Europe currently present osteopathy? we systematically analyzed 29 European unions and/or registers (from 19 countries) and 3 international organizations according to a list of questions arranged in 11 categories. Results: Identity is a collective term covering personal, collective and professional identity. It refers to a state of unity, continuity and coherence. Identity is inconceivable without the setting of boundaries and the formation of oppositions. There exist identity-constituting features of osteopathy that altogether make up its distinctive identity. Osteopathy is not uniformly characterized by the professional unions & registers and international osteopathic organizations, however. To summarize some of our results: 31% define osteopathy as medicine, and 38% define it as a form of therapeutic method or treatment. Only 21% see the role of osteopathy to lie in first-line medical care. 24% define osteopathy as complementary and 7% as complementary or alternative. The form of recognition of osteopathy also varies: In some countries osteopathy is an independent profession and in others represents only further training for other health professions (i.e. physiotherapy). Critical Reflection/Perspectives/Conclusions Significant intraprofessional differences exist in the presentation of osteopathy among the European professional unions & registers and international osteopathic organizations, and the existence of these differences conflicts with the idea of a collective identity. The criteria for a professionalization of osteopathy as an academic profession are not fulfilled at present. We may therefore infer that osteopathy is undergoing a crisis of identity in Europe, which can only be resolved creatively, through a common orientation of professional values. Additional Information This thesis was originally written in German language,little deviations in meaning from the original texts cannot be ruled out.


Search results      

 
 
 






  • ImpressumLegal noticeDatenschutz


ostlib.de/data_kwuvxdzgbcqrmjetnpay



Supported by

OSTLIB recommends