Prevalence and profile of Australian osteopaths treating older people

Amie Steel; Brett Vaughan; Paul Orrock; Wenbo Peng; Michael Fleischmann; Sandra Grace; Roger M Engel; David Sibbritt; Jon Adams

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.01.013

Prevalence and profile of Australian osteopaths treating older people

Complement Ther Med. 2019 Apr:43:125-130. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.01.013. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Authors

Amie Steel¹, Brett Vaughan², Paul Orrock³, Wenbo Peng⁴, Michael Fleischmann⁵, Sandra Grace³, Roger M Engel⁶, David Sibbritt⁴, Jon Adams⁴

Affiliations

¹ University of Technology Sydney, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, Ultimo, NSW Australia. Electronic address: Amie.steel@uts.edu.au.
² Department of Medical Education, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; School of Health & Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia.
³ School of Health & Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia.
⁴ University of Technology Sydney, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, Ultimo, NSW Australia.
⁵ College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
⁶ Department of Chiropractic, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.

PMID: 30935519
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.01.013

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the characteristics of the Australian osteopathy workforce who participate in the management of older patients with musculoskeletal complaints.

Design: Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey of osteopaths.

Setting: The Osteopathy Research and Innovation Network (ORION), an Australian practice-based research network.

Main outcome measures: The demographic, practice and treatment characteristics of osteopaths who identify as 'always'or 'often' treating patients aged 65 years or over.

Results: Over half (58%) of total participants (n = 992) indicated often treating older people and this was associated with referral patterns with other health professionals and a non-urban practice location. Osteopaths providing care to older people were more likely to discuss diet/nutrition and medications, and provide pain counselling. Osteopaths who treated older adults were more likely to treat shoulder musculoskeletal disorders, degenerative spine disorders, chronic or persistent pain, and tendinopathies.

Conclusions: A substantial proportion of Australian osteopaths treat older adults frequently. The potential value and impact of osteopathy in managing the health needs of an ageing population warrants close examination from both researchers and policy makers.

Keywords: Aged care; Chronic pain; Gerontology; Health workforce; Osteopathy.

MeSH terms

Adult
Australia
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data
Humans
Male
Musculoskeletal Diseases / therapy
Osteopathic Medicine / statistics & numerical data*
Osteopathic Physicians / statistics & numerical data
Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data
Prevalence
Referral and Consultation
Surveys and Questionnaires