Osteopathy Europe

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Osteopathy Europe

Osteopathy Europe
The Voice of Osteopathy in Europe The Association shall strive to generate all forms of osteopathy-related scientific research.

The purpose of the Association, which shall be devoid of any profit-oriented spirit, shall be the defence and promotion of osteopathy. Its mission shall be to promote and harmonize the profession in all countries of the European Union and the Council of Europe with all means at its disposal.

In all countries of the European Union and the Council of Europe, it shall collect data on the agreed conditions and modalities governing the exercise of the profession in the respective countries (education and training criteria, organisation of the profession and defence of professional interests, codes of ethics and conduct...). It shall strive to support its affiliated national organisations in attaining in their country – if necessary - a level of education as well as rules and regulations, which are compatible with the osteopaths’ aspiration of exercising a profession with a high level of responsibility, with specific skills as primary contact health care provider. The Association shall make efforts to work for the free choice of therapies and therapists, the free movement of practising osteopaths in the member states of the European Union. The Association shall be the liaison body for the administrative bodies of the European
Union. The mission of the Association shall not include a direct intervention with national authorities, unless its national affiliate demands such an intervention or unless there is no national organisation. L'association, qui est dénuée de tout esprit de lucre, a pour objet la défense et la promotion de l'ostéopathie. Elle vise à promouvoir et harmoniser la profession dans tous les pays de l'Union Européenne et du Conseil de l'Europe par tous les moyens à sa disposition. Elle collecte pour l'ensemble des pays de l'Union Européenne et du Conseil de l'Europe les conditions et les modes d'exercice agréés dans ces différents pays (critères de formation, organisation et défense professionnelles, références éthiques et déontologiques...).
STATUTS de l’ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONALE FEO A.I.S.B.L. / EFO I.N.P.A.

Elle œuvre pour aider les organisations nationales membres à obtenir, si nécessaire, un niveau de formation et des règles d'exercice compatibles, dans leur pays, avec l'aspiration des ostéopathes à exercer une profession à haut degré de responsabilité, à compétences spécifiques en tant que consultant de première intention. Elle vise à susciter toutes recherches scientifiques en rapport avec l'ostéopathie. L’association s’efforce d’œuvrer pour le libre choix thérapeutique et du thérapeute, la liberté de circulation des praticiens dans les états membres de l’Union. L’association sera l’interlocutrice auprès des instances de l’Union Européenne. L’association n’a pas pour vocation à intervenir directement avec les autorités nationales sauf sur demande de l’organisation nationale membre ou en cas de non existence d’organisation nationale.

17/09/2026

🇸🇮 Spotlight on Slovenia

This month, we are pleased to highlight the work of Društvo Osteopatov Slovenije (DOS), the Slovenian Association of Osteopaths and a valued member of Osteopathy Europe.

Established in 2018, DOS works to support the development of osteopathy in Slovenia and to promote high professional and educational standards within the profession.

While osteopathy is not currently recognised as an independent healthcare profession in Slovenia, important work continues to support its future development. Discussions around the legal framework are ongoing, with proposed changes aiming to create clearer pathways for appropriately qualified healthcare professionals who meet recognised European standards.

The Slovenian experience highlights an important reality across Europe: professional recognition is often the result of years of commitment, collaboration, and perseverance. Many of today's recognised osteopathic professions began with small groups of practitioners working to establish standards, education pathways, and professional identity.

Osteopathy Europe's vision is for high educational standards, strong professional governance, and appropriate recognition of osteopathy across Europe. We are proud to support DOS as part of this shared mission.

🇪🇺 Together, we continue to strengthen the future of osteopathy across Europe

21/08/2026

🌍 Research Spotlight
What do osteopathic competency and regulatory standards look like across the world?

A recent international study compared competency frameworks and regulatory expectations across 17 jurisdictions where osteopathy is regulated or formally recognised as a healthcare profession (Muddle et al., 2026).

The authors found strong international agreement on the core competencies expected of osteopathic practitioners, including patient-centred assessment, clinical reasoning, safe and effective treatment, ethical practice, communication, referral, collaboration, and evidence-informed care (Muddle et al., 2026).

At the same time, important differences remain in educational pathways, qualification requirements, continuing professional development systems, scope of practice, and healthcare integration (Muddle et al., 2026).

The study suggests that future international benchmark guidance could support greater comparability and public protection while still allowing for national adaptation. Areas identified for further development include digital health, quality improvement, outcome measurement, and workforce mobility (Muddle et al., 2026).

For Osteopathy Europe, these findings reinforce the importance of high educational standards, professional regulation, and collaboration across jurisdictions while recognising the diversity of healthcare systems and regulatory environments throughout Europe.

📖 Reference

Muddle, L., McLeod, G.A., Treffel, L., Thomson, O.P., Ferreira, A.P.A. and Vaughan, B. (2026) International competency and regulatory standards in osteopathic practice: A comparative documentary analysis of regulated and formally recognised jurisdictions. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 61, 100856. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijosm.2026.100856

13/08/2026

🎓 Research Spotlight

How do students learn to become osteopaths?

A recent qualitative study explored the experiences of first-year students enrolled in Italy's first university-based osteopathy degree programme. Through in-depth interviews, researchers examined how students experienced professional development during the early stages of their education. (Cazzarolli et al. 2026)

Participants described professional development as extending beyond the acquisition of technical knowledge and skills. Students reported experiences related to embodied learning, clinical exposure, relationships with patients and tutors, and the gradual development of professional identity. (Cazzarolli et al. 2026)

The authors suggest that educational environments which acknowledge uncertainty, support early clinical learning, and foster professional identity development may be particularly valuable during periods of educational and professional transition. (Cazzarolli et al. 2026)

As osteopathy continues to expand within higher education across Europe, studies such as this contribute to our understanding of how future practitioners experience their educational journey. (Cazzarolli et al. 2026)

📖 Reference

Cazzarolli, C., Turrina, A., Furri, L., Palese, A., Landuzzi, M.G., Smania, N., Cerritelli, F., Esteves, J.E. and Rossettini, G. (2026) Learning to become an osteopath in Italy: a qualitative study of first-year students in a newly established university programme. BMC Medical Education.

Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-026-10045-9 (Accessed: 2 August 2026).

07/08/2026

🇮🇪 Spotlight on Ireland

This month, we're pleased to highlight the work of the Osteopathic Council of Ireland (OCI), a valued member of Osteopathy Europe.

Since 2009, the OCI has acted as the competent authority overseeing standards and professional recognition for osteopathy in the Republic of Ireland. Its primary role is to protect the public while supporting high standards of professional practice throughout the profession.

Today, almost 200 qualified osteopaths are registered with the OCI, each meeting rigorous requirements relating to education, supervised clinical training, professional indemnity insurance, ethics, and continuing professional development.

The impact of osteopathic care in Ireland is reflected in recent patient feedback:

📈 66.7% reported full recovery within six weeks�
⭐ 92.6% rated their experience as very good�
🤝 88.9% would recommend osteopathy to family and friends

Alongside maintaining professional standards, the OCI continues to work with the Irish Department of Health towards statutory regulation through CORU. This important objective aims to strengthen public protection, support professional recognition, and enhance the integration of osteopathy within Ireland's healthcare system.

We are proud to have the Osteopathic Council of Ireland as part of Osteopathy Europe and thank them for their ongoing commitment to patients, practitioners, and the advancement of the profession across Ireland.

31/07/2026

Preparations are well underway for our next Autumn Conference and General Meeting, bringing together representatives from Osteopathy Europe's member associations for two days of discussion, collaboration, and strategic planning.

This year's programme will feature guest speakers with expertise in European law and higher education, exploring important topics including:

🔹 Professionals crossing borders within Europe
🔹 Educational standards and harmonisation
🔹 Qualification recognition across European countries

The meeting will also provide updates on several key Osteopathy Europe initiatives, including:

✅ CEN Revision
✅ The UNITE Project on Osteopathic Identity
✅ OsteoCore
✅ Early findings from the 'Journey to Regulation' survey

In addition, delegates will have the opportunity to share developments, progress, and challenges from their respective countries, strengthening collaboration across the European osteopathic community.

We look forward to welcoming representatives of our member associations to Malta this October and continuing our shared work towards the development, recognition, and advancement of osteopathy across Europe.

🇪🇺 See you in Malta!
Malta Association of Osteopaths

25/07/2026

🎓 Osteopathic Education in Europe

Education is one of the foundations of a strong, recognised, and trusted healthcare profession.

Across Europe, osteopathic education has evolved through different historical pathways. These routes have helped establish and strengthen the profession in many countries. As regulation continues to develop, there is an increasing movement towards university-based undergraduate osteopathy degrees, creating clearer professional identity, stronger public recognition, and greater alignment with modern healthcare education systems.

Osteopathy Europe's Education Committee works to promote high educational standards, support harmonisation across Europe, and encourage qualifications that meet recognised national and international benchmarks.

As the profession continues to develop, Osteopathy Europe supports the growth of standalone undergraduate professional osteopathy degrees, alongside high-quality postgraduate, Master's, and doctoral opportunities that strengthen clinical practice, research capacity, and professional recognition.

The future of osteopathy relies on excellent education, robust research, and continued progress towards regulation and integration within healthcare systems across Europe. 🌍

17/07/2026

Who We Are: Advancing Osteopathy Across Europe

Osteopathy Europe unites 23 countries through a shared commitment to advancing osteopathic care, patient safety, and professional standards.

Our mission is to strengthen awareness, recognition, and evidence-informed practice across Europe, supporting both practitioners and patients.

From research to policy, we work collaboratively to ensure osteopathy continues to grow as a trusted, regulated healthcare profession.

Follow us to stay informed about our work, initiatives, and the latest developments shaping osteopathy in Europe.

10/07/2026

🇳🇱 Spotlight on the Netherlands

This month, we're highlighting the Netherlands and the work of our Dutch member organisation, Nederlandse Vereniging voor Osteopathie

The NVO represents osteopaths across the Netherlands, supporting professional development, promoting high standards of practice, and advocating for the profession's continued growth and recognition.

Osteopathy in the Netherlands is characterised by a strong commitment to quality assurance, patient safety, and lifelong learning. Practitioners typically complete extensive education and clinical training before entering practice.

Working within primary care, Dutch osteopaths are directly accessible to patients and play an important role in supporting people with a wide range of musculoskeletal and functional health concerns.

The NVO continues to champion professional excellence while supporting the ongoing development of osteopathy through education, research, and collaboration.

We are proud to have the NVO as a member of Osteopathy Europe and thank them for their continued contribution to strengthening osteopathy across Europe. 🇪🇺

25/06/2026

⏳ Final call for abstracts — deadline approaching!

The NCOR Online Conference 2026 is inviting submissions from across the osteopathic community — including clinicians, researchers, and students.

📅 Abstract deadline: 30 June 2026
This is your opportunity to:
- Share your work internationally
- Build your academic and professional profile
- Present in a supportive online environment

🎓 Students & recent graduates are especially encouraged to apply(and undergraduate registration is free!)

📍 Conference dates:
• 16 October 2026
• 17 October 2026
👉 Submit your abstract: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/wCArvsjtVC

🔗 More info: ncor.org.uk/conference2026

18/06/2026

A major milestone for osteopathy in Italy
On 22 May 2026, the final implementing decree was published in the Official Gazette, completing the legislative framework that began with the recognition of osteopathy as a healthcare profession in 2018.

This achievement marks the culmination of an eight-year regulatory journey, establishing:
✔ A defined professional profile
✔ A university-based education pathway
✔ Transitional arrangements for existing practitioners

The focus now moves to implementation, including:
• Opening of Special Exhaustive Lists (ESE)
• Evaluation of practitioners under transitional measures
• Development of academic recognition pathways
• Establishment of the Osteopath Register

For one of Europe’s largest osteopathic communities, this represents a transformational step forward, strengthening professional recognition, standards, and integration into healthcare systems.
ROI Registro degli Osteopati d'Italia
👏 A significant moment for Italy — and for osteopathy across Europe.

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