5 Tips on seeing a great Osteopath in Lilydale
1) Ensure the Osteopath is registered
Osteopaths are legally bound to be register with the Osteopathy Board of Australia who operate under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Unfortunately there have been some people in the Lilydale area who claim they are Osteopaths when they in fact have no qualifications. Furthermore some people may say things such as using osteopathic techniques, philosophy or approaches who are in fact not Osteopaths or registered at all.
Registration ensures your therapist is appropriately trained. They must maintain up to date professional standards and are not under investigation for any inappropriate conduct.
You can check the register, not only for Osteopaths, but for other registered health professionals, such as doctors on the site here.
2) Continuing Professional Development and Ongoing Training
Osteopaths must be regularly updating and improving their clinical knowledge and skills. Training should relate directly to their scope of practice. This ensures the delivery of appropriate and safe clinical care. Dr. Prue Eddie (Registered Osteopath) has been providing CPD to the qualified osteopathic profession in Australia and overseas for many years. She has previously been a guest lecturer to undergraduates at RMIT University, Victoria University and Southern Cross University. At Koru, we provide weekly mentoring as well as co-treating appointments. This means on some occasions, two fully qualified Osteopaths will treat you at once. Not only does this improve your treatment experience, it provides the opportunity for our practitioners to provide better team care and management.
3) Area of Clinical Expertise
People want to see a clinician who has experience and a special interest in their problem or area of concern. We are fortunate to have Osteopaths with special interests in musculoskeletal complaints such as sports injuries, back pain and headache. In addition we have an Osteopath with extensive Paediatric (babies and children) and Women’s health experience, including but not limited to pregnancy and postnatal care.. Prue is one of only a small number of practitioners in Australia who have completed further University education in manual therapy treatment of children.4) Member of Osteopathy Australia
It is important that your Osteopath is a member of Osteopathy Australia.
The professional group provides regular up to date information for practitioners. This ensures they keep up to date with national requirements.
In addition they work to ensure you as a patient are able to access benefits such as private health insurance rebates.
They advocate for the public to be able to access Medicare funded consultations via the Chronic Disease Management Plan and other third party providers such as Workcover and TAC.
We want you to be able to access these services, as it increases your ability to receive treatment subsidy.
5) Ask if the practitioner is insured
Australian Osteopaths must have Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII). All practitioners must be able to quickly state the value of their insurance coverage and who their provider is. Common providers include Guild Insurance and Insurance House. All of our Osteopaths maintain up to date insurance certificates. We are happy to provide these at any time on request.The wrap up!
The 5 keys to finding a great Osteopath in and around Lilydale include the following:- Make sure they are legit (Osteopath must be registered).
- They are committed to their professional progress and commit to ongoing learning.
- Their clinical area of knowledge is clear.
- Maintain membership with Osteopathy Australia.
- Have appropriate insurance.