2024-11-02 23:36:00
Ostéopathie Québec reiterates its wish to see the profession taught at university to allow better supervision and better homogeneity in the quality of the exercise.
“Currently, the profession is not regulated at all, so osteopaths are trained in private schools and the quality of these schools really varies from one school to another,” established Karine Devantéry, president of the board of directors of Ostéopathie Québec, in an interview with LCN.
Osteopathy is a complementary profession to physiotherapy or kinesiology, and aims to restore maximum mobility to the different structures of the body through manual therapy, she explained.
“What we would like, of course, is for the training to become university level, but it is not only us who want that. This is a wish that was formulated in the opinion that was submitted by the Office des professions du Québec in 2022,” she continued.
The Office advocated the creation of a professional order for osteopaths and recommended university training including 3,100 hours, with clinical practice.
It is in this sense that UQAM decided this year to offer two second cycle microprograms for osteopaths, a good start for the president.
“It’s really a first step in [bonne] direction. […] I think that the choice to do a microprogram was a choice that was entirely appropriate, given the fact that we are entering university. So, Ostéopathie Québec sees the deployment of these microprograms in a very positive light for the future,” she explained.
The Minister of Government Administration and the Treasury Board, Sonia LeBel, spoke out last spring during the study of budgetary appropriations, mentioning that she wanted this file to be resolved by the end of his mandate, i.e. in the fall of 2026.
“We find that the issue is moving really slowly at the moment and what we would like is for the different stakeholders to sit down at the same table to propose a clear and concerted action plan for the future. , because we don’t really know what the next step is,” she continued.
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**Interview with Karine Devantéry, President of the Board of Directors of Ostéopathie Québec**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Karine. Can you start by explaining the current state of osteopathy regulation in Canada?
**Karine Devantéry:** Thank you for having me. Currently, osteopathy is not regulated in Canada, which means that there are no standardized practices or quality controls across the profession. Osteopaths are trained in various private schools, and unfortunately, the quality of education can vary significantly from one institution to another.
**Editor:** That sounds concerning. Why is it important to have a standardized university-level program for osteopathy?
**Karine Devantéry:** Establishing a university-level program is crucial for a few reasons. First, it would ensure a consistent, high-quality education for all practitioners, which would ultimately benefit patient care. Second, it allows for better oversight and regulation of the profession, creating a unified standard that practitioners must adhere to. This would enhance the credibility of osteopathy as a healthcare profession.
**Editor:** You mentioned the quality of private schools varying. Can you elaborate on how that affects patients?
**Karine Devantéry:** Certainly. When osteopaths come from different educational backgrounds with varying standards of training, it can impact the care patients receive. Some osteopaths may be well-trained in certain techniques, while others might lack fundamental skills or knowledge. This inconsistency can lead to varying patient experiences and outcomes, which is not ideal for healthcare.
**Editor:** What steps is Ostéopathie Québec taking to push for regulation and better educational standards?
**Karine Devantéry:** We are advocating for the profession to be formally recognized and regulated by the province. This includes pushing for the establishment of accredited university programs specifically for osteopathy. We’re also engaging with stakeholders, including government officials and healthcare associations, to promote the importance of these changes.
**Editor:** What do you hope to achieve in the next few years regarding the regulation of osteopathy in Canada?
**Karine Devantéry:** Our goal is to see a clear path towards regulation, with a standardized education framework in place within the next few years. This will help ensure that all osteopaths are adequately prepared to provide safe and effective care to their patients, thereby enhancing the reputation and integration of osteopathy into the broader healthcare system.
**Editor:** Thank you, Karine, for sharing your insights. It sounds like there is important work ahead for the osteopathy profession in Canada.
**Karine Devantéry:** Absolutely, and thank you for highlighting this issue!
