General Osteopathic Council

Osteopathic
Practice
Standards

Osteopathic Practice Standards > A. Communication and patient partnership > A2. You must work in partnership with patients, adapting your communication approach to take into account their particular needs and supporting patients in expressing to you what is important to them.

A2. You must work in partnership with patients, adapting your communication approach to take into account their particular needs and supporting patients in expressing to you what is important to them.

  1. Trust is an essential part of a clinical relationship and requires effective communication between osteopath and patient.
  2. You must care for your patients and do your best to understand their symptoms and support their health.
  3. You should be sensitive to the specific needs of patients and be able to select and utilise effective forms of communication, which take these into account.
  4. You should share accurate and relevant information with patients, and encourage them to ask questions and to take an active part in decisions about their treatment and care.
  5. The most appropriate treatment for patients will sometimes involve:
    1. referring them to another osteopath or other healthcare professional
    2. providing advice on self-care
    3. not treating them at all.