The full results of the iO’s 2021 Professional Census have now been published.
This nationwide survey collects a wealth of information about osteopaths and osteopathic practice and is the most comprehensive survey of its kind.
The Census aims to gather practical and useful information about osteopaths and how we practice. The third Census wave was completed in 2021 and has proved invaluable in showing key trends in education and practice.
The 2021 Census was taken at a time when we were still operating in the shadow of the pandemic, and so its findings into the ‘health status of the profession are all the more insightful as we look forward to how we can grow the profession, increase access and continue to gain recognition for our expertise and contribution to patient care.
It shows that the profession has fared well with patient numbers, and subsequently salaries have remained relatively unchanged despite the restrictions during COVID. Since these findings, we hear reports of patient numbers only increasing as NHS services continue to struggle post-pandemic.
CEO Maurice Cheng said:
‘The 2021 Census was taken at a time when we were still operating in the shadow of the pandemic, and so its findings into the ‘health status’ of the profession are all the more insightful as we look forward to how we can grow the profession, increase access and continue to gain recognition for our expertise and contribution to patient care.
We are looking at how we can encourage the growth of new osteopathic courses outside the south of England, in order to widen the geographic distribution of education available. This will we believe ultimately improve access by patients to osteopathic care.’
To read the full report click here.