A qualitative investigation to explore female osteopaths’ experiences of pregnancy and perceived impact on patient-practitioner relationships
Item
- Title
- A qualitative investigation to explore female osteopaths’ experiences of pregnancy and perceived impact on patient-practitioner relationships
- Title
- A qualitative investigation to explore female osteopaths’ experiences of pregnancy and perceived impact on patient-practitioner relationships
- Author(s)
- Hollands Deborah
- Abstract
- Background: There is currently a lack of research into the experiences of pregnant osteopaths in practices and consequently little guidance regarding potential problems. Objective: To analyse the experiences of a purposive sample of female osteopaths who became pregnant while in practise and find out if pregnancy and maternity leave was perceived to impact on professional relationships with patients. Method: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with a purposive sample of ten female osteopaths who had a child in the last three years and returned to osteopathic practise after maternity leave. Interviews were coded and analysed using Content Analysis, consistent with elements of Grounded Theory. Results: Pregnant osteopaths reported being able to practise osteopathy effectively with various adaptations, including reducing hours and adapting techniques. There were negative and positive consequences of pregnancy and maternity leave on the patient-practitioner relationship. Conclusion: Adaptation in terms of general practise and technique is required for pregnant osteopaths to manage in practice. An osteopath’s pregnancy helps build rapport and enhance relationships with patients, but can also shift the balance of the consultation off the patient and on to the osteopath.
- Abstract
- Background: There is currently a lack of research into the experiences of pregnant osteopaths in practices and consequently little guidance regarding potential problems. Objective: To analyse the experiences of a purposive sample of female osteopaths who became pregnant while in practise and find out if pregnancy and maternity leave was perceived to impact on professional relationships with patients. Method: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with a purposive sample of ten female osteopaths who had a child in the last three years and returned to osteopathic practise after maternity leave. Interviews were coded and analysed using Content Analysis, consistent with elements of Grounded Theory. Results: Pregnant osteopaths reported being able to practise osteopathy effectively with various adaptations, including reducing hours and adapting techniques. There were negative and positive consequences of pregnancy and maternity leave on the patient-practitioner relationship. Conclusion: Adaptation in terms of general practise and technique is required for pregnant osteopaths to manage in practice. An osteopath’s pregnancy helps build rapport and enhance relationships with patients, but can also shift the balance of the consultation off the patient and on to the osteopath.
- presented at
- British School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2011
- Date Submitted
- 3.2.2012 00:00:00
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Pub-Identifier
- 15062
- Inst-Identifier
- 780
- Keywords
- Pregnancy, Osteopathy, Adaptation, Patient relationship, Maternity leave
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Hollands Deborah, “A qualitative investigation to explore female osteopaths’ experiences of pregnancy and perceived impact on patient-practitioner relationships”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2024, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/1774