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;
- 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" has been created with an accompanying "Summary for Osteopaths in Private Practice".
NCOR is currently in the process of developing a standardised data collection tool for osteopathy using a consensus process among the profession. 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.
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. Current projects include:
- the design of a generic case history card for osteopathy;
- a case series on the osteopathic management of patients during pregnancy;
- a review of the literature concerning contraindications to osteopathic treatment;
- and the creation of an audit tool to assess the effect(s) on the use of cervical manipulation in practice since the introduction of the General Osteopathic Council "Fitness to Practice" guidelines;
- the creation of an informed consent form for osteopathic practice;
- an examination of referral patterns among osteopaths;
- demographic changes in patients attending osteopaths with cervical and lumbar spine symptoms;
- the development of a patient satisfaction questionnaire for osteopathy;
- the development of a patient information leaflet for osteopaths.
The year 2007 marks 10 years since statutory regulation for osteopathy; a three day conference is being held in February 2008 to celebrate this event. A research conference is being organised by NCOR on one of these days to celebrate progress in osteopathic research.
Research Officer - Carol Fawkes
C.A.Fawkes@brighton.ac.uk
01273 643457
