Osteopathy in the French-speaking part of Switzerland: Practitioners’ profile and scope of back pain management

Background: Osteopathy is commonly used for spinal pain, but knowledge about back pain management by osteopaths is scarce.Objective: The aim of this study was to survey osteopaths across the French-speaking part of Switzerland about the scope of their practice and their management of patients with back pain.Design: This cross- sectional observational study was based on an online survey conducted from March to June 2017. Setting and participants: All registered osteopaths of the French- speaking part of Switzerland were asked to complete the survey. Outcome measures: In addition to descriptive statistics (practice characteristics, patients’ profiles, scope of treatment modalities, health promotion, research, and osteopathic practice), we explored variables associated with osteopaths’ practice, such as age and gender.Results: A total of 241 osteopaths completed the questionnaire (response rate: 28.8%). Almost two thirds of osteopaths were female. Ages ranged from 25 to 72 years with an overall mean of 42.0 (SD 10.7) years. Male osteopaths reported more weekly working hours than female osteopaths did (38.2 [SD 11.0] vs 31.6 [SD 8.9], respectively, p