An exploration of osteopaths' beliefs concerning the concept of 'vitality'.

Item

O’Brien Ronan. n.d. “An Exploration of osteopaths’ Beliefs Concerning the Concept of ’vitality’.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed December 16, 2025, https://library.wso.at/s/orw/item/1750

Title: An exploration of osteopaths' beliefs concerning the concept of 'vitality'.
Title: An exploration of osteopaths' beliefs concerning the concept of 'vitality'.
Author(s): O’Brien Ronan
Abstract: Background: Although the concept of vitality is frequently referred to in osteopathic texts, there is little research on the meaning and beliefs osteopaths associate with it. Is it a useful concept in danger of being lost? Using qualitative methodology, this study explored the meaning behind the concept of vitality in osteopathy and the beliefs associated with it. Objectives: To explore what some osteopaths mean by the term 'vitality' and their associated beliefs. Methods: A qualitative exploratory study was under taken. Eight semi-structured interviews with eight UK registered practising osteopaths of varying experience and educational backgrounds were conducted with a purposive sample. Transcripts of the interviews were analysed using Content Analysis consistent with elements of Grounded Theory. Emergent themes were conceptually coded. Results: Four themes emerged from which two models were extracted representing extreme positions labelled “alternative osteopathy” and “orthodox osteopathy”. Conclusion: Models have been derived that may explain attitudes towards the term vitality. Further work is needed to test if these models are valid and to identify how this informs practice.
Abstract: Background: Although the concept of vitality is frequently referred to in osteopathic texts, there is little research on the meaning and beliefs osteopaths associate with it. Is it a useful concept in danger of being lost? Using qualitative methodology, this study explored the meaning behind the concept of vitality in osteopathy and the beliefs associated with it. Objectives: To explore what some osteopaths mean by the term 'vitality' and their associated beliefs. Methods: A qualitative exploratory study was under taken. Eight semi-structured interviews with eight UK registered practising osteopaths of varying experience and educational backgrounds were conducted with a purposive sample. Transcripts of the interviews were analysed using Content Analysis consistent with elements of Grounded Theory. Emergent themes were conceptually coded. Results: Four themes emerged from which two models were extracted representing extreme positions labelled “alternative osteopathy” and “orthodox osteopathy”. Conclusion: Models have been derived that may explain attitudes towards the term vitality. Further work is needed to test if these models are valid and to identify how this informs practice.
presented at: British School of Osteopathy
Date Accepted: 2011
Date Submitted: 3.2.2012 00:00:00
Type: osteo_thesis
Language: English
Pub-Identifier: 15088
Inst-Identifier: 780
Keywords: Osteopathy, vitality, vitalism, beliefs, philosophy
Recommended: 0

Item sets: Thesis