The National Council for Osteopathic Research
The National Council for Osteopathic Research (NCOR) was created in February, 2003. The Chair, Professor Ann Moore, Director of Clinical Research Centre for Health Professions at the University of Brighton, was appointed in March, 2003. NCOR is comprised of representatives from:
- British College of Osteopathic Medicine;
- British Osteopathic Association;
- British School of Osteopathy;
- College of Osteopaths;
- European School of Osteopathy;
- General Osteopathic Council;
- Leeds Metropolitan University
- London College of Osteopathic Medicine;
- London School of Osteopathy;
- Oxford Brookes University;
- Surrey Institute of Osteopathic Medicine.
NCOR appointed a Research Officer, Carol Fawkes in 2004.
NCOR was formed in order to explore and assure the place that osteopathy has to play in healthcare; it aims to increase the research capacity in the osteopathic profession, improve the use of evidence by osteopaths and enable osteopaths to access and utilise relevant research from parallel fields.
Where is NCOR based?
NCOR is based in the Clinical Research Centre at the School of Health Professions in the University of Brighton (Eastbourne Campus).
What are NCOR's aims?
Our aims can be summarised in a précis of NCOR's eight mission statements:
- To establish and develop a comprehensive information resource;
- To create a forum to develop and nurture a pan professional research culture;
- To develop a research governance framework and code of good practice in research for osteopathy;
- To increase and improve the profile of osteopathic research;
- To increase collaboration in research amongst osteopathic providers and HEIs;
- To improve the quality and quantity of research outputs;
- To develop appropriate channels for research dissemination;
- To identify and nurture sources of funding for research activities.
NCOR activities
Enquiries concerning research activities, evidence and funding opportunities are dealt with by the research officer on a day to day basis. The Chair and research officer attend meetings and give presentations to interested bodies wishing to know more about NCOR's activities. Every osteopathic educational institution is represented on NCOR underlining the commitment to strengthening the relationship between research and education. There is a strong emphasis on assisting members of the profession who require assistance to source evidence for presentations and funding contracts, and to network researchers with other like-minded osteopathic researchers.
NCOR places a strong emphasis on supporting osteopaths at grass roots level and promoting a research positive attitude among the profession. An initial 5-year Strategic Plan was created to develop a profession-wide research culture that is robust, credible, inclusive and has national and increasingly international impact and benefits for osteopathic teaching, learning and patient care.
A database of completed osteopathic research is being compiled to include published and unpublished literature. A website (www.ncor.org.uk) has been created to give up to date information on research developments, training, conferences, research opportunities and potential for collaboration with like minded researchers. The International Journal for Osteopathic Medicine (Elsevier) was launched in June 2005 to act as a publication vehicle for worldwide osteopathic research.
A "Research Governance Framework for Osteopathy" (pdf 510Kb) has been created with an accompanying "Summary for Osteopaths in Private Practice" (pdf 118Kb).
NCOR has developed a standardised data collection tool for osteopathy using a consensus process among the profession. View a report of the tool development process and the findings from a national pilot (pdf 2.5Mb). You can also read an executive summary of the standardised data collection project (pdf 104Kb).
Adverse events associated with osteopathy are also being investigated; NCOR has formed a sub-committee to oversee the launch of a funding call, the award of funding to successful applicants and monitor the ongoing projects. See further information concerning the progress of the studies.
In order to promote research activities at grass roots level a series of research "hubs" have been created throughout the United Kingdom. The groups have been involved in a variety of activities throughout the past year. See details of the current hub meetings.
The year 2007 marked 10 years since statutory regulation for osteopathy; a three day conference was held in February 2008 to celebrate this event. A research conference was organised by NCOR on one of these days to celebrate progress in osteopathic research. A small scale research conference is being held at the University of Brighton in February, 2011. See further information concerning the content of the conference (pdf 116Kb).
Research Officer - Carol Fawkes
C.A.Fawkes@brighton.ac.uk
01273 643457
