Manschel Jonas, Porthun Jan, Beuckels Jean Marie A T, Martin David
Institute of Integrative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Health Faculty, University Witten/Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany.
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Campus Gjøvik, Gjøvik, Norway.
Eur J Med Res. 2024 Dec 18;29(1):586. doi: 10.1186/s40001-024-02199-3.
The practice of osteopathy in Europe is not uniformly regulated. Even despite the topographical and cultural proximity, the regulation of the osteopathic profession also differs in the German-speaking countries. In contrast to Germany and Austria, both without any recognized osteopathic profession, Switzerland has already created legal regulations for the practice of osteopathy. The aim of this analysis and the project itself is to gain knowledge about the characteristics, challenges and opportunities of osteopaths in German-speaking countries.
The COCO project examines osteopaths in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, considering their view on the practice of osteopathy. Within the framework of a metasynthesis, a systematic literature search was conducted first to identify further relevant studies. Subsequently, a qualitative synthesis was followed after having applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria to the literature found.
This study was able to draw on a total of 30 content-analyzed interviews with osteopaths. It was possible to gain deeper insights into the characteristics, challenges and opportunities of osteopaths in German-speaking countries. Challenges were diagnosed, for example, regarding professional identity, as well as in the intraprofessional conflicts and the question of standards in training and research. The chances were described as leading a fulfilling professional life and meeting a great interest in osteopathy among the population.
Regarding the characteristics of osteopathy in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, it can be said that osteopaths have difficulties to define osteopathy. The resources mentioned most often are manual work on the patient, a holistic treatment approach and generous treatment durations. Lecturers and prominent figures can be seen as role models and greatly influence the perspective of osteopaths. The central challenge is the problem of identity among osteopaths. In addition, different training programs and qualifications exist, which also presents the greatest country-specific differences. The satisfaction of osteopaths in their work and the extreme demand for osteopathy in society should be seen as an opportunity for the field.
欧洲整骨疗法的实践没有统一的规范。尽管在地理和文化上相近，但整骨疗法专业在德语国家的规范也有所不同。与德国和奥地利（两国均无任何被认可的整骨疗法专业）不同，瑞士已经出台了整骨疗法实践的法律法规。本分析及项目本身的目的是了解德语国家整骨疗法从业者的特点、挑战和机遇。
COCO项目考察了德国、奥地利和瑞士的整骨疗法从业者，考虑了他们对整骨疗法实践的看法。在元综合的框架内，首先进行了系统的文献检索以识别更多相关研究。随后，在对所发现的文献应用纳入和排除标准后进行了定性综合。
本研究共对30名整骨疗法从业者进行了内容分析访谈。得以更深入地了解德语国家整骨疗法从业者的特点、挑战和机遇。例如，在职业认同、职业内部冲突以及培训和研究标准问题方面发现了挑战。机遇被描述为能够过上充实的职业生活，以及满足民众对整骨疗法的浓厚兴趣。
关于德国、奥地利和瑞士整骨疗法的特点，可以说整骨疗法从业者难以界定整骨疗法。最常被提及的资源是对患者的手法操作、整体治疗方法和较长的治疗时长。讲师和知名人士可被视为榜样，并对整骨疗法从业者的观点产生重大影响。核心挑战是整骨疗法从业者的身份问题。此外，存在不同的培训项目和资质，这也呈现出最大的国别差异。整骨疗法从业者对工作的满意度以及社会对整骨疗法的极高需求应被视为该领域的一个机遇。
