Huggett, Sally (2004) Spirituality and osteopathy: a practitioners' views. Coursework Master thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

Spirituality and healthcare is a research subject of increasing interest, but there is a lack of osteopathic research and a paucity of research into the interactions between practitioner spirituality and professional practice. This study aimed to investigate concepts of spirituality, affects of spirituality on osteopathic practice and attitudes and practices regarding spiritual care by osteopaths with active spiritual beliefs. Semi-sructured interviews with four osteopaths were analysed for themes. Common elements of spirituality such as belief in a divine being/s or force, communication with 'God' through spiritual practices, belief in a reality beyond the physical realm, beliefs about the purpose and meaning of human existence, and an association of spirituality with religion were found despite participants having varied spiritual beliefs. Spirituality was found to influence many aspects of practice including: their choice of osteopathy as a career and continued motivation as practitioners; their capacity to care for patients; and the integration of spiritual practices such as private prayer, meditation and intuition into treatment. Participants played a supportive role in patient-initiated conversations about spirituality but differed as to whether they thought it appropriate to disclose their personal spiritual beliefs to patients. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

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