Monday 9 December 2013

Osteopathy Today - December 2013 - Volume 19.10

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.

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