RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP

Major Research Project for the Masters in Clinical Education at the University of NSW School of Medical Education. 2000-2001

THE CLINICAL BASIS OFOSTEOPATHIC EDUCATION

ABSTRACT

The professional identity of an individual or a professional group is determined through understanding how they think and understanding what they think about in their day to day clinical practices (Higgs and Jones 2000).

Understanding the focus of the clinical practice and what is considered in the clinical reasoning process helps clarify what makes a health care professional an Osteopath and not for example, a Chiropractor, a Myotherapist or a Physiotherapist. Understanding how to teach novices how to reason in an Osteopathic paradigm is essential to the survival of the Osteopathic philosophy and practice.

The aim of this project is to describe the learning environment and the reasoning strategies taught in the undergraduate students' clinical education.

This aim was be met by using the learning experiences of third, fourth and fifth year students in the five - year Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Osteopathic Science at RMIT University.

A Questionnaire was given to students and their clinical teachers and was designed to elicit a snapshot view of the student's and the clinical teacher's perception of the clinical teaching process.

A case scenario was designed to determine the application of Osteopathic principles in the students and clinical teachers' clinical reasoning.

The low response rate from students was disappointing hence, no conclusive statements can be made.

However, the research responses indicated several interesting trends and may provide a basis for future research and educational strategies. The responses from students gave a strong indication where, in the development of their clinical reasoning skills, that is, in the diagnostic-sieve, they most value the assistance of their clinical teachers.

Further, this research can be used by other researchers to develop a valid and reliable method of assessing the clinical component of undergraduate osteopathic education and, to evaluate the effectiveness of clinical teaching methods.

Finally, the concept is valuable in that it serves to facilitate discussion between osteopathic educators on world-wide platform.