The OPEn project investigating patients' expectations of osteopathic care

The General Osteopathic Council commissioned this research as part of a wider programme of work to enhance knowledge of the attitudes, needs and concerns of the public and patients who seek the care of osteopaths. The GOsC envisages that the findings the study will inform GOsC policy development, the provision of information to patients and the public, and guidance to osteopaths. The main aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the expectations of patients receiving osteopathic care, and to quantify the extent to which their expectations are being met. The research team was awarded the commission to conduct the research in open competition. The study comprised several complementary phases designed to gain knowledge about the expectations of osteopathic patients, using mixed methods including both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.