1.Study title
Exploring reasons for leaving the General Osteopathic Council Register: A mixed methods study – interviews
2. Invitation
We would like to invite you to take part in our interview study exploring reasons why osteopaths leave the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) register. Before you decide to take part, we would like you to understand why the research is being done and what it would involve for you. One of our team will go through the information sheet with you and answer any questions you have. We’d suggest this should take about 10 minutes. Please talk to others about the study if you wish and ask us if there is anything that is not clear.
3. What is the purpose of the study?
The aim of this study is to explore the reasons why osteopaths decide to leave the GOsC register. Recent research has identified a trend of increasing numbers of osteopaths leaving the register each year, with leavers outnumbering joiners in 2022-23. This study seeks to understand the factors that contribute to this decision, including potential challenges related to professional practice, and to identify what support might have helped practitioners remain on the register. The findings will inform future GOsC policies and activities to support the sustainability of the profession.
4. Why have I been invited?
You have been invited because you have previously been registered with the GOsC and have chosen to leave the register in the past 24 months. We are seeking to interview 10-15 former registrants to gain a deeper understanding of the reasons for leaving the profession.
5. Do I have to take part?
No. It is entirely up to you to decide whether to join the study or not. We will describe the study and go through this information sheet. If you agree to take part, we will then ask you to sign a consent form. You are free to withdraw at any time up to two weeks after your interview without giving a reason. Whether you decide to take part or not, or withdraw, will not affect your professional standing and will have no bearing on any future interaction with the GOsC. You are encouraged to ask questions prior to participating and can do so at any stage of the project.
6. What will happen to me if I take part?
You will be invited to participate in an online or telephone interview lasting approximately 60 minutes. The interview will explore your career as an osteopath, factors that influenced your decision to leave the register, and your views on what might have supported you to continue in the profession. With your permission, the interview will be audio-recorded and transcribed. You will be given the opportunity to review the transcript and make corrections or amendments.
7. What do I have to do?
If you decide to take part, please complete and return the consent form to the research team. Once received, a researcher will contact you to arrange a convenient time for the interview. The interview will take place online or via telephone, depending on your preference.
8. What are the possible benefits of taking part?
There may be no direct personal benefits from taking part, but this study aims to enhance understanding of the challenges faced by osteopaths and inform improvements to professional support systems. Your contribution will help shape future policies and initiatives that might better support osteopaths in practice.
9. What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
The interview questions will invite you to reflect on and describe your career and decision to leave the GOsC register, which some people may find thought-provoking or possibly uncomfortable. If you think that this might be difficult, you are advised not to take part. You are free to decline to answer any particular questions at no detriment. If you feel distressed in any way as a result of taking part in this study, please contact the principal investigator for advice and signposting to appropriate support services.
10. What if there is a problem?
If you wish to stop participating and withdraw from the study up to two weeks after your interview, you would be free to do so without giving a reason. If you have any concerns about the nature or conduct of this research study, please contact the Principal Researcher or another member of the research team.
11. Will my taking part in the study remain confidential?
Yes. The study has been approved by the Health Sciences University Research Ethics Committee. All information collected about you will be kept strictly confidential. The research team will be the only people with access to data collected about you, and it will be stored securely on password-protected servers at the University. Anonymity will be ensured by removing all identifying information from transcripts and using pseudonyms in any reports or publications. At the end of the study, data will be stored securely at the University and destroyed 6 years afterwards, in accordance with current research guidelines.
We would like to emphasise that while this study is funded by the GOsC, they will not have access to any identifiable data. Any information shared with the GOsC or in publications will be fully anonymised. Your individual responses will never be linked to your identity, and your participation (or any views expressed) will have no bearing on any future applications should you decide to re-join the GOsC register. The research team operates independently to ensure objectivity and confidentiality.
12. What will happen to the results from the study?
The anonymised results will be analysed and presented to the GOsC. Findings will also be shared at osteopathic and professional healthcare conferences and published in academic journals. If you would like to receive a summary of the results after the study ends, please indicate this on your consent form or contact the principal researcher using the details at the end of this information sheet.
13. Who is organising the research?
The study is being conducted by the National Council for Osteopathic Research. The project is funded by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).
Thank you for taking the time to read the information sheet. Our contact details are given below should you have any questions or want further information.
Principal investigator’s contact details:
Dr Jerry Draper-Rodi
Director of the National Council for Osteopathic Research