An investigation into the profile of osteopaths practising in Switzerland

Item

Herzig Maureen. n.d. “An Investigation into the Profile of Osteopaths Practising in Switzerland.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed December 15, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/1824

Title: An investigation into the profile of osteopaths practising in Switzerland
Author(s): Herzig Maureen
Abstract: Background: The Swiss osteopathic profession has undergone significant changes since regulations were implemented in January 2007, setting new rules for inter-cantonal exams and governing ability to practise from 2013. Objective: The aim of this study was to gain an insight into the demographics and current practice patterns of osteopaths in Switzerland. Design: A questionnaire survey, based on the Snapshot Survey conducted by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC 2001) in the United Kingdom and a similar study in France (Magnouat 2008). Method: A survey pack was sent to 250 registered osteopaths of the Swiss Osteopathic Federation (FSO-SVO). A proportion of members representing the 3 main national languages were randomly selected by the Ethical Committee of the FSO-SVO. Results: A 60% response rate was obtained (n=151). 51% of osteopaths (n=77) had qualified from full-time institutions and 43% (n=64) had originally trained as physiotherapists. 67% of the osteopaths (n=102) graduated from a Swiss college. 71% of participants (n=107) worked primarily alone, whilst 21% (n=32) worked mainly in a team. Osteopaths trained in Switzerland tended to be younger, have less years experience in practice and be more likely to practise only osteopathy. Conclusion: The results suggest that osteopathy is flourishing in Switzerland. However, there may be 2 distinct groups of osteopaths, those who have been trained for a number of years and were initially physiotherapists, and a younger group of newly qualified Swiss-trained osteopaths.
Abstract: Background: The Swiss osteopathic profession has undergone significant changes since regulations were implemented in January 2007, setting new rules for inter-cantonal exams and governing ability to practise from 2013. Objective: The aim of this study was to gain an insight into the demographics and current practice patterns of osteopaths in Switzerland. Design: A questionnaire survey, based on the Snapshot Survey conducted by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC 2001) in the United Kingdom and a similar study in France (Magnouat 2008). Method: A survey pack was sent to 250 registered osteopaths of the Swiss Osteopathic Federation (FSO-SVO). A proportion of members representing the 3 main national languages were randomly selected by the Ethical Committee of the FSO-SVO. Results: A 60% response rate was obtained (n=151). 51% of osteopaths (n=77) had qualified from full-time institutions and 43% (n=64) had originally trained as physiotherapists. 67% of the osteopaths (n=102) graduated from a Swiss college. 71% of participants (n=107) worked primarily alone, whilst 21% (n=32) worked mainly in a team. Osteopaths trained in Switzerland tended to be younger, have less years experience in practice and be more likely to practise only osteopathy. Conclusion: The results suggest that osteopathy is flourishing in Switzerland. However, there may be 2 distinct groups of osteopaths, those who have been trained for a number of years and were initially physiotherapists, and a younger group of newly qualified Swiss-trained osteopaths.
presented at: British School of Osteopathy
Date Accepted: 2010
Date Submitted: 31.5.2011 00:00:00
Type: osteo_thesis
Language: English
Pub-Identifier: 14928
Inst-Identifier: 780
Keywords: Switzerland, osteopathic medicine, osteopathic manipulation, musculoskeletal manipulations, chiropractic, physiotherapy, orthopaedic, physical therapy
Recommended: 0

Item sets: Thesis