Collaborative practice between osteopaths and general practitioners in France : a cross-sectional study
Contreras, Marine (2025)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025051913091
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025051913091
Tiivistelmä
Collaborative practice refers to the coordinated and active engagement of healthcare professionals working towards a shared objective: the health and wellbeing of the patient. Such collaboration can take various forms and involve different stakeholders. In primary care, the general practitioner is the first point of contact who oversee the coordination of patient care pathways. Collaboration between osteopaths and general practitioners can include the exchange of information concerning shared patients to ensure optimal care.
This study aimed to describe collaboration between osteopaths and general practitioners in France focusing on the number of patients referred or recommended, the means of communication, and the factors associated with the quality of this collaboration. A cross-sectional study was conducted to describe the situation in France from osteopaths’ point of view.
The survey, created based on literature, was distributed to osteopaths through different organisations from 1.11.2024 to 28.02.2025. The 213 osteopath respondents reported that 6,67% of their patients were referred to a GP and 4,90% were recommended by a GP to them. Although the quality collaboration was reported as ‘good’, the quality communication was rated as ‘average’ and communication most frequently occurred indirectly, via the patient, which raises concerns regarding message reliability and continuity of care. Further research should identify areas where effective collaborative networks have already been established.
This study aimed to describe collaboration between osteopaths and general practitioners in France focusing on the number of patients referred or recommended, the means of communication, and the factors associated with the quality of this collaboration. A cross-sectional study was conducted to describe the situation in France from osteopaths’ point of view.
The survey, created based on literature, was distributed to osteopaths through different organisations from 1.11.2024 to 28.02.2025. The 213 osteopath respondents reported that 6,67% of their patients were referred to a GP and 4,90% were recommended by a GP to them. Although the quality collaboration was reported as ‘good’, the quality communication was rated as ‘average’ and communication most frequently occurred indirectly, via the patient, which raises concerns regarding message reliability and continuity of care. Further research should identify areas where effective collaborative networks have already been established.