Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 2016/06, 22(6):A113-A114. doi: 10.1089/acm.2016.29003.abstracts, type of study: ,css,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Full text    (https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/acm.2016.29003.abstracts)

Keywords:

Canada [27]
conference abstract [127]
cross sectional study [894]
knowledge [67]
pediatrics [573]
physicians [334]
primary care [68]

Abstract:

Purpose: Osteopathy is an increasingly popular health care modality in Quebec including for paediatric population. With the prospect of regulation, there is a need to better understand physicians point of view of this profession, in order to promote the development of a health care delivery model that fosters safe patient-centered care. The aim of this study was to describe the current general situation in term of knowledge about osteopathic profession, its scope of practice for paediatric patients, and existing collaboration. Methods: A content-validated and pre-tested self-administrated questionnaire was sent to all primary care physicians (PCP) with paediatric practice and paediatricians without specialisation in Quebec. The questionnaire captured general knowledge about osteopathy and its scope of practice, sources of information, positive and negative experiences reported by parents, presence of professional relationship, referrals, impact of regulation and demographic information. Results: 155 PCP (13%) and 119 paediatricians (17%) responded to the survey. 95% of respondents agreed that osteopaths work on all body tissues, 91% answered that osteopathy is useful for torticollis or plagiocephaly and 88% for musculoskeletal pain. 10% read scientific articles on osteopathy, 94% had patients reporting positive experiences and 32% negative experiences. Referral is positively associated with female gender (p = 0.003), fewer years of medical practice (p = 0.018), personal use (p < 0.001), professional relationship with an osteopath (p < 0.001), knowledge and information about osteopathy (p < 0.001), positive experiences of patients (p < 0.001), and PCP as profession (p < 0.001). Finally, 72% will be positively influenced by regulation of osteopathy in Quebec. Conclusion: This survey reports physicians point of view on osteopathy for paediatric population for the first time in Quebec. Our findings suggest that many factors are associated to osteopathic referrals. These results can be used for lead actions to promote osteopathy for paediatric population..