Articles written by Austin Plunkett
Get help with the Peer Discussion Review: new animation from the GOsC
Have you started thinking about your Peer Discussion Review? The GOsC has launched a new animation to help osteopaths get started with the process.
A Peer Discussion review is an overall requirement of the GOsC CPD scheme and enables you to get external objective feedback, reflect on what you do, and consider how you might enhance your CPD and practice as a result. Read more
NCOR online virtual conference
Our 2021 Conference will run over two half days on 22nd and 23rd January 2021. It will feature a series of short presentations with time for Q&A after each presentation. Delegates are welcome to drop in and out as they wish and will also have access to the recorded presentations afterwards. Read more
Audit e-learning module
Osteopath Catherine Wharf and NCOR’s Dr Carol Fawkes have produced a detailed e-learning module to guide osteopaths through how to enhance practice through clinical audit. The module provides information about the purpose and benefits of audit, and explains how the different types of audit can be conducted. Read more
Shared decision-making by osteopathic students
This study by staff and students at the European School of Osteopathy explored how decision-making is shared by patients and osteopathy students. Shared decision-making is associated with increased patient engagement, and improved satisfaction. The researchers used a validated scale to assess the extent that osteopathy students involved patients in decision-making, transcribing 35.5 hours of data from 30 patient-student encounters. Read more
Impact of public health campaigns promoting tobacco control and physical activity
Public health campaigns have improved awareness of health risks, according to a large review funded by the National Institute for Health Research. Tobacco control campaigns have demonstrated cost-effectiveness, with only limited positive impact found from campaigns directed at drinking or eating behaviours. Read more
Evidence FAQ
NCOR’s director Dr Dawn Carnes has produced a PowerPoint presentation packed full of information for osteopaths who are unsure what to say when giving presentations or providing materials to GPs and local groups.
The presentation is split into sections:
- Background.
- What is osteopathy?
Moving Matters – interventions to increase physical activity
The National Institute for Health Research has released a review of physical activity and interventions to help clinicians and health service commissioners determine what works, and what doesn’t.
The review summarises evidence from over 50 published and ongoing studies, and is divided into interventions targeting pre-school and school-age children, adults, the workplace, and the elderly. Read more
Bad apples in the news
Two recent news stories have drawn attention to research suggesting that the location of subcutaneous and visceral fat deposists might be significant. Being “apple shaped” — carrying fat around the midriff — is associated with serious illness in post-menopausal women, but the picture for men might be more complicated. Read more
Psychological influence on knee and hip movement after cruciate ligament repair
The authors of this study examined psychological readiness to return to sport in 18 athletes after surgical repair of the anterior cruciate ligament. They also measure strength and single-leg landing biomechanics.
Greater movement of the knee in the frontal plane, and lower movement of the hip in the same plane, were associated with a greater readiness to return to sport. Read more
Patient experiences of osteopathic manipulative treatment
The authors reviewed 16 papers for this study, including both quantitative and qualitative research. The quantitative papers used various tools to record satisfaction and expectation levels, showing mainly positive responses from patients. They summarise the qualitative research as revealing that patients consider osteopathic manipulative treatment to be be patient-centred, holistic, and thorough. Read more