The Article below was kindly selected by the British Osteopathic Association and publish this December 2013.
Dear Editor
As a Principal I never expected
to consider Fishes! I knew to expect from associate change of life, partner
situation, maternity, relocation but I never thought a recently qualified
colleague would say that he is not interested in the time I could offer him
(after his maternity cover contract had expired) because the Saturday mornings
are the days he goes fishing!
To many times I have heard
Principle saying things about the new generation of osteopath. And also many
times read the new generation’s point of view about the principle! And I
remember being a newly qualified, and I can see both side of the fence…. I try
to be a fair principle at the clinic and I am pleased to see that I have
respect and good relationship from all my associates. This newly qualified
osteopath was actually in his 40s so we can’t even blame his youth! But I am
not writing today about that really.
I am more concern with recent
article which all promote apprentice and mentoring. As I had in 2007, a long
waiting list of client who only wanted me to see them I knew in order to
transfer that patient list to any associate I needed to also transfer some of
my ways, views, techniques, skills. We are now 6 osteopaths working in harmony
who my patients are confident in seen and although my list at the moment is
over 6-7 weeks waiting, they are themselves getting a very good reputation and
a very good clientele.
When I read Jean-Pierre Barral
interview (OT March 2013) I was pleased to see that when he came across an
osteopath he said to himself “I want to learn this!” A curious mind seem to be
the start of all success in osteopathy. Unfortunately recently I was told by a
colleague that the reason why he didn’t feel the need (during his quiet times)
to observe me was
1- That’s
not the way he was taught at college
2- He
only practice evidence base medicine
3- And
he was not interested in Visceral, cranial, children treatment etc…
In a time of recession when a
clinic nearly double its clientele in less than 2 years and when the principal
has a 7 weeks waiting list it would only make sense to learn as much as
possible from them even if only to take what you want from it. This is what I
did in the two clinic I worked whilst developing my own for the first 9 years
of my career. Even if my way of practicing were different, I worked along some
amazing osteopaths, physiotherapists and chiropractors, learnt from their
experience, adapting it to my practice and grew form there.
I must admit I was shock and
upset both at the same time. Is success not of any value? That revalidation and
the GOsC have boxes to tick for one to be recognised as an osteopath I
understand, but surely our profession or one embracing the profession sure
should value a busy practice.
In France we don’t say It make
sense, we translate “It has sense”. Like an intrinsic value of the logic rather
than the result of a discussion and a presentation by a person defending a
case. I thought it had sense but obviously I was wrong.
I have since found 2 more
osteopaths for the clinic willing to learn and do some form of apprenticeship.
In OT September Vol 18:7 Fiona
Hamilton research Technical Rational vs Professional Artistry she did point out
that the tutors did use both and a variation of both depending the case. I
would say that depending on lectures, CPD, conference and years in practice I
have regularly review my practice and changed from time to time depending on
case, success and flavour of the month but always for the patient benefit. I am
worried that instead of progressing in a new era of compassion and care we are
again trying to kill Galileo and Copernic for not being evidence base (well it
depends which model we are using to assess them)
Christophe Becquereau.
Northampton.
