Open AccessOsteopathy in the French-speaking part of Switzerland: Practitioners’ profile and scope of back pain management
Author(s) -
Anne-Sylvie Bill,
Julie Dubois,
Jérôme Pasquier,
Bernard Burnand,
Pierre-Yves Rodondi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0232607
Subject(s) - osteopathy , medicine , neck pain , scope of practice , manual therapy , observational study , back pain , family medicine , physical therapy , alternative medicine , health care , pathology , economics , economic growth
Background Osteopathy is commonly used for spinal pain, but knowledge about back pain management by osteopaths is scarce. Objective The aim of this study was to survey osteopaths across the French-speaking part of Switzerland about the scope of their practice and their management of patients with back pain. Design This cross-sectional observational study was based on an online survey conducted from March to June 2017. Setting and participants : All registered osteopaths of the French-speaking part of Switzerland were asked to complete the survey. Outcome measures : In addition to descriptive statistics (practice characteristics, patients’ profiles, scope of treatment modalities, health promotion, research, and osteopathic practice), we explored variables associated with osteopaths’ practice, such as age and gender. Results A total of 241 osteopaths completed the questionnaire (response rate: 28.8%). Almost two thirds of osteopaths were female. Ages ranged from 25 to 72 years with an overall mean of 42.0 (SD 10.7) years. Male osteopaths reported more weekly working hours than female osteopaths did (38.2 [SD 11.0] vs 31.6 [SD 8.9], respectively, p<0.001). Almost a third (27.8%,) of osteopaths could arrange an appointment for acute conditions on the same day and 62.0% within a week. Acute or subacute spinal conditions, mainly low back and neck pain, were the most frequent conditions seen by our respondents. For 94.4% of osteopaths, one to three consultations were required for the management of such conditions. Conclusion Osteopaths play a role in the management of spinal conditions, especially for acute problems. These findings, combined with short waiting times for consultations for acute conditions, as well as prompt management capabilities for acute low back and acute neck pain, support the view that the osteopathic profession constitutes an added value to primary care.