International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 2013/03, 16(1):e10. doi: 10.1016/j.ijosm.2013.01.006, type of study: ,css,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Full text    (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1746068913000072)

Keywords:

osteopathic private practices [1]
UK [121]
standardised data collection [2]
cross sectional study [894]

Abstract:

Background Increasing interest is being shown in osteopathy on a national and international basis. Little prospective data are available concerning the day-to-day practice of the profession. To address this issue, a standardised data collection tool was developed for osteopathy. Methods: The standardised data collection (SDC) tool underwent national piloting between April and July 2009 in United Kingdom private practices. Osteopaths volunteered to participate and recruited patients on whom to record data for a period of one month. This was followed by a follow-up period of two more months. Results A total of 1630 completed datasets from the SDC pilot were analysed by the project team. The SDC tool performed extremely well, and generated meaningful data. Lumbar symptoms were the most common (36%), followed by cervical spine (15%), sacroiliac/pelvic/groin (7.9%), head/facial area (7%), shoulder (6.8%), and thoracic spine (6%). Additional symptoms were recorded in 2.9% of patients. A total of 48.8% of patients reported co-morbidities, the most common being hypertension (11.7%), followed by asthma (6.6%), and arthritis (5.7%). Outcome data were collected looking at the patients' response to treatment, and any form of treatment reactions. Conclusion The primary aim of the project was to create and test a standardised data collection tool for osteopathy. A small number of issues were highlighted during the project identifying where further refinement was required. The development of an electronic format, and a short form version for daily practitioner use would be welcome.