ESO Clinic Tutors talk Osteopathy with local GPs

ESO Clinic tutors Julie Tagney and Helena Bridge did a fantastic job representing Osteopathy, and the ESO Clinic, at a recent Maidstone Area Non-Principal GPs meeting; the GP group had asked specifically for a talk on osteopathy to explain more about the profession and to help clarify why they should refer a patient to an osteopath in preference to another manual therapist.  

 The talk itself was very well received and led to in-depth conversations about modern osteopathic treatment and the services available through the ESO – members were surprised to hear how long the course was, the depth of knowledge students needed to qualify and how affordable our treatment fees were.  They were especially interested to hear how psychological and manual therapy approaches could work together, for example when treating chronic pain sufferers in the forthcoming OsteoMAP course, and that up-to-date research was helping to inform assessment and treatment within our specialist Headache clinic; the ability to identify headache types when deciding on a treatment plan was something they found particularly interesting.

Julie Tagney commented, “Being able to speak directly with local GPs was so useful.  Not only did we have the chance to talk about osteopathy and answer specific questions, we also gained a much greater understanding of the increasing pressures currently being experienced within the NHS, the ongoing budget constraints in primary care and their impact on GP practices and their patients. It’s something we should all be aware of when referring patients back to their GP for further investigations – if we’re to be seen as credible healthcare partners.”

 Many thanks to local GP Annie Keeley for her invitation and to Krysia Ritchie for her support and participation.  Dr Keeley lectures alongside Julie Tagney in professional skills and identity and is a member of School’s Ethics Committee; she regularly refers to the ESO Clinic, being a keen supporter of osteopathy.