Are you interested in becoming a student of Osteopathy? Allow me to share the first blog post of a mini-series aimed at navigating Osteopathy training. When I was exploring training options, there were only a few reputable schools available. However, the landscape has evolved, and today, schools are popping up everywhere, claiming to offer competent training, sometimes completing in less than three months online.
Here are my recommended schools:
- Canadian College of Osteopathy: This esteemed institution has campuses in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver. The founder is Philip Druelle, DO, originally from France. I went to this school in Vancouver. (PS: Don’t judge the book by the cover, the website is not the greatest – more on that later).
- Canadian Academy in Osteopathy : Another noteworthy option known for its commitment to excellence in osteopathic training in Hamilton, Ontario.
However, with the increasing number of schools, it’s crucial to choose wisely. When it comes to regulating the profession in British Columbia, OsteopathyBC, a professional membership organization, is actively pushing for this essential change. Here are two reasons highlighting the importance of selecting the right training program to ensure your eligibility for OsteopathyBC membership upon graduation:
- Lack of Regulation: Osteopathy is currently not regulated in Canada or British Columbia, leading to the absence of a professional college to regulate members, such as those for medical doctors, massage therapists or traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. This means, anyone can offer training in Osteopathy and subsequently offer the service to the public.
- Customer Impact: As a potential customer of Osteopathy, the lack of regulation means as a client or patient, you must conduct thorough research to determine your practitioner’s training. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies two types of training programs based on prior training and clinical experience, emphasizing the time needed to acquire mastery. This is the level of training you require to become a member of OsteopathyBC.
- Type I Training Programs: Designed for those with little or no prior healthcare training, these are typically four-year, full-time programs with supervised clinical training at recognized osteopathic facilities.
- Type II Training Programs: Aimed at individuals with prior healthcare training, these align with Type I in aims and content but may have modifications in course content and length.
In summary, choosing the right training program is not just about completing the course; it influences your future in the dynamic field of osteopathy. Stay tuned for more insights in upcoming installments of this series, guiding you toward a fulfilling career in osteopathy.
xo
Isabel
