Profile of osteopathic practice in Spain: results from a standardized data collection study

Abstract

BackgroundThere is limited research regarding patients’ profiles and consumer attitudes and habits of osteopathy in Spain. The purpose of this study was to profile patients who regularly receive osteopathic care in Spain using an internationally developed standardized data collection tool.MethodDuring the period between April 2014 and December 2015, a UK-developed standardized data collection tool was distributed to Spanish osteopaths who voluntarily agreed to participate in this cross-sectional study.ResultsThirty-six osteopaths participated in this study and returned a total of 314 completed datasets. Of 314 patients, 61% were women and 39% were men, with a mean age of 40 years (SD 17.02 years, range 0 to 83 years). Forty-four percent were full-time salaried workers, and in 78% of cases, receiving osteopathic treatment was the patient’s own choice. Chronic spinal pain presentations were the most frequent reasons for consultation. Seventy-five percent of patients presented with a coexisting condition, mainly gastrointestinal disorders and headaches. The main treatment approach consisted of mobilization techniques, followed by soft tissue, cranial and high velocity thrust techniques. Improvement or resolution of the complaint was experienced by 93% of patients after a small number of sessions. Adverse events were minor and occurred in 7% of all cases.ConclusionThis is the first study carried out in Spain analyzing the profile of patients who receive osteopathic care. The typical patient who receives osteopathic care in Spain is middle-aged, presents mainly with chronic spinal pain, and voluntarily seeks osteopathic treatment. Osteopathic treatment produces a significant improvement in the majority of cases with a low rate of minor adverse events reported.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-018-2190-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Spanish Osteopathic Practitioners Estimates and RAtes (OPERA) study: A cross-sectional survey

“…In general, the typical osteopath in Spain is male, aged between 30-39 years, with a previous academic degree, mainly in physiotherapy, and part-time osteopathic education. These results are in line with the only previous study published in Spain [7], with the Benelux Osteosurvey [10] and the Italian OPERA version [16]. However, the latest 2011 KPMG Report profiling osteopaths [19] showed that UK osteopaths are older (41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50).…”

“…Regular referrals are standard practice among Spanish respondents. However, patients in Spain mainly consult an osteopath through self-referral (Fig 4) in the pursuit of an alternative to previous unsuccessful treatments [7]. In this context it should be highlighted that interprofessional care is one of the ingredients for building effective modern health systems [24] and, although efforts have been made to promote interprofessional care within osteopathy, this interest should extend to research [25].…”

“…associations representing different groups of osteopaths undermines the profession's coherence and credibility. Finally, osteopathy is a relatively young profession in Spain (dating from the 1980s) [26] and, despite the considerable development in recent years [7], it is still unknown to many healthcare professionals. Spanish respondents organise their consultations in a similar way to UK osteopaths and colleagues from the Benelux.…”

“…This document profiled osteopathy as a complementary and alternative medicine classifying it under the category "Manipulative and body-based therapies" [6], without, however, formal recognition of the profession. This vague and imprecise legal scenario, alongside with numerous private training programmes, has resulted in the coexistence of different osteopathic profiles represented by different professional associations [7].…”

“…In recent years, some studies have been conducted in different countries to either profile the osteopathic practitioner or the osteopathic consumer [8][9][10][11][12]. In Spain, despite some academic dissertations addressing this issue [13][14][15], there is only one published study providing this type of information [7]. However, the limitations of this study compromise the generalisability of the results.…”