Prevalence and profile of Australian osteopaths treating older people

• Published in: Complementary therapies in medicine Vol. 43; pp. 125 - 130
• Main Authors: Steel, Amie, Vaughan, Brett, Orrock, Paul, Peng, Wenbo, Fleischmann, Michael, Grace, Sandra, Engel, Roger M., Sibbritt, David, Adams, Jon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2019; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adults; Aged care; Aging; Arthritis; Biocompatibility; Bone diseases; Chronic pain; Demographics; Disorders; Gerontology; Health workforce; Innovations; Manipulative therapy; Medical personnel; Musculoskeletal diseases; Nutrition; Older people; Osteopathic medicine; Osteopathy; Pain; Patients; Spinal manipulation; Spine; Therapists; Workforce; Australia; Aged care; Gerontology; Health workforce; Osteopathy; Chronic pain
• ISSN: 0965-2299; 1873-6963
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.01.013

•Over half of Australian osteopaths treat patients aged 65 years and older.•Osteopaths may prescribe exercise, counselling and dietary advice to older patients.•Older patients may be referred to an osteopath by their general practitioner.•Osteopaths may educate older patients about pain management.•Osteopaths who treat older patients refer more frequently for diagnostic imaging. To explore the characteristics of the Australian osteopathy workforce who participate in the management of older patients with musculoskeletal complaints. Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey of osteopaths. The Osteopathy Research and Innovation Network (ORION), an Australian practice-based research network. The demographic, practice and treatment characteristics of osteopaths who identify as ‘always’or ‘often’ treating patients aged 65 years or over. Over half (58%) of total participants (n = 992) indicated often treating older people and this was associated with referral patterns with other health professionals and a non-urban practice location. Osteopaths providing care to older people were more likely to discuss diet/nutrition and medications, and provide pain counselling. Osteopaths who treated older adults were more likely to treat shoulder musculoskeletal disorders, degenerative spine disorders, chronic or persistent pain, and tendinopathies. A substantial proportion of Australian osteopaths treat older adults frequently. The potential value and impact of osteopathy in managing the health needs of an ageing population warrants close examination from both researchers and policy makers.