A qualitative study investigating the difference between osteopathy and sports osteopathy
Item
- Title
- A qualitative study investigating the difference between osteopathy and sports osteopathy
- Title
- A qualitative study investigating the difference between osteopathy and sports osteopathy
- Author(s)
- Bailey Calvin
- Abstract
- Background: Sports care is a new, developing specialism within osteopathy but there has been little research into its role so far. This study aimed to explore how sports osteopathy is being incorporated into clinical practice by comparing the management approaches of osteopaths in general practice and those with additional training in osteopathic sports care. Design: Qualitative semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to describe the similarities and differences in their approaches to treating and managing patients with hamstring injuries by discussing two hypothetical case vignettes of a footballer and an elderly patient. Participants: A convenience sample of 4 osteopaths working in general practice and a purposive sample of 4 osteopaths with extra training in sports’ osteopathy. Results: The osteopaths in this study identified similarities in approach to managing hamstring injuries in a footballer, compared to an elderly patient. They assessed both patients as individuals and evaluate them holistically. There were differences specific to the context of patient characteristics (e.g. the footballer’s fitness versus coexisting degenerative or systemic health changes in the elderly patient), patient expectations (return to sport versus maintaining independence), and different psychosocial stressors. Treatment techniques used would be similar but differ in strength, with pressure to rehabilitate the footballer more quickly. Osteopaths with additional sports training were more likely to assess patients from a functional biomechanical perspective. Conclusions: There were some obvious differences in approach between general practice osteopaths and those with sports qualifications. Opinions were divided about the value of additional training. This study was based on a small sample and the qualitative findings cannot be generalised. Opinions were also based on hypothetical case vignettes, so further observational research to analyse potential management differences in clinical practice is recommended.
- Abstract
- Background: Sports care is a new, developing specialism within osteopathy but there has been little research into its role so far. This study aimed to explore how sports osteopathy is being incorporated into clinical practice by comparing the management approaches of osteopaths in general practice and those with additional training in osteopathic sports care. Design: Qualitative semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to describe the similarities and differences in their approaches to treating and managing patients with hamstring injuries by discussing two hypothetical case vignettes of a footballer and an elderly patient. Participants: A convenience sample of 4 osteopaths working in general practice and a purposive sample of 4 osteopaths with extra training in sports’ osteopathy. Results: The osteopaths in this study identified similarities in approach to managing hamstring injuries in a footballer, compared to an elderly patient. They assessed both patients as individuals and evaluate them holistically. There were differences specific to the context of patient characteristics (e.g. the footballer’s fitness versus coexisting degenerative or systemic health changes in the elderly patient), patient expectations (return to sport versus maintaining independence), and different psychosocial stressors. Treatment techniques used would be similar but differ in strength, with pressure to rehabilitate the footballer more quickly. Osteopaths with additional sports training were more likely to assess patients from a functional biomechanical perspective. Conclusions: There were some obvious differences in approach between general practice osteopaths and those with sports qualifications. Opinions were divided about the value of additional training. This study was based on a small sample and the qualitative findings cannot be generalised. Opinions were also based on hypothetical case vignettes, so further observational research to analyse potential management differences in clinical practice is recommended.
- presented at
- British School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2011
- Date Submitted
- 3.2.2012 00:00:00
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Pub-Identifier
- 15039
- Inst-Identifier
- 780
- Keywords
- Osteopathy, sport, football, hamstring, CPD
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Bailey Calvin, “A qualitative study investigating the difference between osteopathy and sports osteopathy”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2024, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/1797