Unpublished MSc thesis, Wiener Schule für Osteopathie, 2007/03, 108, type of study: ,qs,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Free full text   (https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/2975)

Keywords:

cranio-sacral osteopathy [231]
professional practice [7]
medical education [684]
clinical practice [26]
qualitative study [290]
WSO [508]

Abstract:

In a qualitative study three male and three female osteopaths, having graduated at the Vienna School for Osteopathy (VSO) more than three years ago, were questioned concerning craniosacral osteopathy. These interviews were conducted via interviewing guidelines. The interviews were evaluated by a qualitative analysis of content. They were supposed to give answers to the following questions: How do osteopaths implement the syllabus of instruction at the VSO into their own practice? Is their a strong orientation on the instruction and is there a critical preoccupation with the theoretic principles of cranial osteopathy? The results show that only a small part of the contents transmitted during instruction are being used. Especially techniques at the sutures are hardly applied. Two interviewees report negative effects of the cranial training concerning their ability of sensing, as they consider the focus being too much put on handholds than on perception. Nearly all osteopaths show little interest in scientific debate. There is no standardised procedure in the area of cranial osteopathy. The questioned persons are making use of different aspects of the instructional training in their practice, developing their personal way of treating. Thereby, the approach of biodynamic cranial osteopathy has a strong influence. The thesis shows how cranial osteopathy is put into practice and could be used to support a revison of the VSO syllabus of instruction.