Many osteopaths have been participating in a national data collection project which has been taking place since 2017. The project focusses upon how patients feel after osteopathic care. This project, known as the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement or PROMs project was developed with patients.
When you visit your osteopath, they may ask you to consider completing a questionnaire as part of the PROMs project. The questionnaire is available online through a web app, or can de downloaded onto a smartphone or other mobile device as a mobile app. You can access it in any way you prefer. More information about the study can be found here.
What data will be collected?
The information we collect will not include your name, address, or date of birth and your information will not be made available to anyone else. Your osteopath will receive a summary report periodically about outcomes of care at their practice periodically but no individual patients will be identified. We will not sell or use your data for any commercial purposes.
What has the study shown so far?
We have learned from the data collected nationally so far that:
- more women (61.1%) than men (38.9%) have submitted data;
- The age group most frequently attending practices is 50-59 years (24.9%);
- 11% of data are submitted by patients over 70 years of age;
- 68.2% of patients are employed or self-employed;
- 48.7% of patients reported being able to access care within 1 day of contacting a practice;
- 49.5% of patients reported their symptoms had been present for six weeks or less;
- 38.6% reported their symptoms were chronic (lasting 13 weeks or more);
- Patients could report multiple symptom areas and the most frequently reported were in the neck (57.1%), low back (48.6%), upper back (45.7%) and shoulder (42.9%);
- Pain was the most frequently reported reason for seeking treatment (74.1% of patients, followed by stiffness/reduced mobility (17.6%);
- 87.2% of patients reported they were very satisfied with their care at 6 weeks post-treatment;
- 87.2% of patients reported they received very good care at 6 weeks post-treatment;
- Responding to the Friends and Family Test, 87.5% of patients reported they were extremely likely to recommend osteopathic care;
- Using a Global Rating of Change, 88.9% of patients reported being “much improved” at 6 weeks post-treatment.
Where can I find further information about the PROMs study?
More information can be found on the website for the National Council for Osteopathic Research https://www.ncor.org.uk/practitioners/patient-reported-outcomes/prom-app-collecting-prom-data-in-practice/. The findings of the PROMs study in the UK were published in 20211. A copy of the paper can be accessed here https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33861778/
Who can I contact if I have any further questions?
Please contact the project lead, Dr Carol Fawkes (carol.fawkes@uco.ac.uk).
1. Fawkes C, Carnes D. Patient reported outcomes in a large cohort of patients receiving osteopathic care in the United Kingdom. PLoS One. 2021;16(4):e0249719.