CONCERNS OF THE DOC

 

BACKGROUND

The Osteopaths Act 1993 was intended to provide protection of the title osteopath, a type of branding, and not a decision by government to take charge of osteopathic standards of treatment or education.

Statutory self-regulation meant that osteopaths were put in charge of developing and regulating their own profession but manv complained that this job was given to a small group of unrepresentative osteopaths who did little to consult the wider profession.

Protection of title meant that osteopathy had to be defined, which was difficult because it had previously been a collection of different pliilosophies with a common theme.

CONSEQUENCES

Those practising osteopaths who fell outside of this new definition suddenly found themselves at odds with their own profession and their treatment philosophies rejected. Their very livelihoods were threatened and their patients' right to seek their services undermined.

The DOC became concerned that these established philosophies of treatment would not be supported or developed by the current registering body to the detriment of the profession and loss to the public.

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

Those practising osteopaths wishing to register were asked to complete a questionnaire outlining their work, training, mode of treament, etc, but this was subsequently used inappropriately as a test of competence. No warning of this test was given, nor any syllabus or training set in place beforehand.

Failure of this "test" meant an individual lost the title osteopath regardless of their training and education and years of unchallenged excellence in practice.