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A1:  You must listen to patients and respect their individuality, concerns and preferences. You must be polite and considerate with patients and treat them with dignity and courtesy.

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A1:  You must listen to patients and respect their individuality, concerns and preferences. You must be polite and considerate with patients and treat them with dignity and courtesy.

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My exam feedback highlighted good patient-practitioner communication, which I believe stems from my ability to listen carefully, respond to patient concerns, and adjust my approach to meet their needs. For example, during the exam I verbalized findings clearly and ensured my actions were aligned with the case at hand, showing attentiveness to both spoken and unspoken cues. I think that communication is not just about what I say - it’s about how well I listen and respond to patients' concerns, body language, and tone. Patients may not always voice their discomfort directly, so it’s my responsibility to remain observant and empathetic. Overall, while I’m proud of my performance, I’ll continue to develop my listening skills and ensure every patient interaction reflects these core values

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B1:  You must have and be able to apply sufficient and appropriate knowledge and skills to support your work as an osteopath.

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B1:  You must have and be able to apply sufficient and appropriate knowledge and skills to support your work as an osteopath.

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A2: You must work in partnership with patients, adapting your communication approach to take into account their particular needs and supporting patients in expressing to you what is important to them

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A2: You must work in partnership with patients, adapting your communication approach to take into account their particular needs and supporting patients in expressing to you what is important to them

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Personal experience with the technique CV4

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B2: You must recognise and work within the limits of your training and competence.

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B2: You must recognise and work within the limits of your training and competence.

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Reflection on a current patient

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B3: You must keep your professional knowledge and skills up to date.

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B3: You must keep your professional knowledge and skills up to date.

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When I was a Y1 student at the ESO, a coalleaque taught me and some other coworkers how to assess and treat babies. However, I didn't feel prepared to handle either babies or their parents. I chose to specialize in the field of baby care by taking 12 different courses on baby treatment with various licensed osteopaths.

I have learned about babies' normal development and which clinical signs to be concerned about in cases of severe abnormalities or syndromes. I have also learned how much the mother's nervous system can influence the baby’s nervous system - something that was very surprising to me, but I now observe daily in the clinic. With this experience, I have learned how to explain to the mother that her anxiety might negatively affect her baby’s nervous system. I explain this in a supportive way, so she doesn't leave feeling like a failure, but instead with new strategies to better handle her baby.

I was taught many direct techniques, but I would like to improve my cranial skills in baby treatment.

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B4: You must be able to analyse and reflect upon information related to your practice in order to enhance patient care.

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B4: You must be able to analyse and reflect upon information related to your practice in order to enhance patient care.

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My journey to becoming a better and more confident practitioner

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This case is a friendly reminder to myself, that by trusting and believing in myself, I can do better by my patients. I need to remember, that I am NOT a psychiatrist, and I can’t help everybody who has psychological traumas. I will keep working on the psychological aspect of osteopathy and hopefully one day I will trust my intuition much more.

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Success with a psychological approach to a young patient

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Through these years, I’ve generally received positive feedback on my communication skills with patients, and I’ve worked hard to improve even further. Reflecting on my progress, I feel my communication has become much better, especially in understanding patients’ facial expressions and body language. I’ve noticed I can often sense their emotional reactions, which helps me decide whether to ask certain questions or hold back until I’ve built a stronger and more trusting relationship with my patient.

I also pay close attention to my own body language and expressions when interacting with patients. I try to create a welcoming atmosphere by keeping an open posture, using a calm voice, and mirroring their expressions to make them feel understood. As Kerstin Schuster suggests, if there’s a mismatch between verbal and non-verbal communication, it can lead to confusion. This idea has stuck with me, and I try to keep it in mind during every interaction.

Reflecting on this, I feel this focus might be one of the reasons I stand out from one of my peers. For example, while both a colleague and I are in our fourth year, I’m typically fully booked four weeks in advance, while he struggles to fill appointments in the same week. The biggest difference between the two of us is our communication and how we relate to people.

I always make sure to explain how and why I intend to treat the patient, and what they can expect of an osteopathic treatment. I always ask if it makes sense to them before moving on with treatment. I sense that this makes my patients feel as an active part of their own progress.

Schuster, K., 2007. Touch - Perception - Communication. In the Context of Osteopathic Treatment. URL: https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/files/original/5ccf6cc1e976f4143274fdd967962e662e31d9b9.pdf

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A3: You must give patients the information they want or need to know in a way they can understand.

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A3: You must give patients the information they want or need to know in a way they can understand.

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Some of my exam feedback has indicated a tendency to use professional or medical language rather than everyday terms that might be more easily understood by patients. Upon reflection, I believe this stems from a combination of exam-related nervousness and the fact that English is not my first language. I have been actively working to address this. In my first year at the ESO, I found it challenging to explain many aspects of osteopathy in Danish, as all the terminology is, understandably, taught in English. I don’t have this issue when communicating with patients in Danish during clinical practice anymore.

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A4: You must receive valid consent for all aspects of examination and treatment and record this as appropriate.

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A4: You must receive valid consent for all aspects of examination and treatment and record this as appropriate.

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As highlighted in my exam feedback, I place great importance on asking for consent. It’s important to me that my patients feel seen, heard, and fully in control during their treatment. I want them to know they can always tell me to stop the session if something doesn’t feel right. I fully support the GOsC’s OPS standards, though I’m aware that the rules for obtaining consent differ in Denmark. Here, we are required to ask for consent once and document it in the patient’s record.

When I first started, I asked for consent before every technique, ensuring I had explained the technique thoroughly beforehand. While some patients appreciated this approach, I noticed that many began to feel a bit irritated by the repeated questions. Some even told me it wasn’t necessary to ask so frequently, as they would let me know if anything felt uncomfortable. I reflected on this feedback and realized that my frequent requests for consent may have been interpreted as nervousness or insecurity.

Since then, I’ve adjusted my approach. I still make it a priority to obtain consent, but I aim to strike a balance by not asking as often while ensuring that my patients feel empowered to communicate any concerns at any point during the session. I let my patients know that they can end the treatment at any time should they wish to.

I always make sure to document the consent given.

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C1: You must be able to conduct an osteopathic patient evaluation and deliver safe, competent and appropriate osteopathic care to your patients.

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C1: You must be able to conduct an osteopathic patient evaluation and deliver safe, competent and appropriate osteopathic care to your patients.

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Looking at my third year exam, it shows that i am able to conduct an osteopathic patient evaluation and deliver safe, competent and appropriate osteopathic treatment. However, there is still room for improvements.

In my practice, I try to make sure that every patient receives a thorough osteopathic evaluation and safe, competent care tailored to their needs. I take a detailed case history, adapting my communication style to each patient’s sensitivities, and conduct appropriate clinical assessments based on their presentation. My treatment plans are formulated using the best available evidence, the patient’s preferences, and my own expertise, ensuring that each approach is justified and adaptable. I continuously monitor treatment outcomes, recognize adverse reactions, and adjust or discontinue care if necessary, always prioritizing the patient’s well-being. Additionally, I am mindful of my professional limits and refer patients to other healthcare professionals when their condition requires further expertise.

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C2:  You must ensure that your patient records are comprehensive, accurate, legible and completed promptly.

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C2:  You must ensure that your patient records are comprehensive, accurate, legible and completed promptly.

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Picture of the journal we use in our clinic

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The journal we use at the clinic fully adheres to the standards set by The Danish Patient Safety Authority by maintaining accurate, clear, and systematic documentation that supports high-quality and safe patient care. It complies with all relevant Danish regulations, including GDPR, ensuring secure handling of sensitive information and prioritizing patient safety through proactive risk assessments and incident tracking. Regular audits and updates ensure the journal remains a reliable and up-to-date tool for enhancing patient outcomes and encourgaging ongoing quality improvement.

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C3:  You must respond effectively and appropriately to requests for the production of written material and data.

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C3:  You must respond effectively and appropriately to requests for the production of written material and data.

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I believe it is absolutely vital to be aware of the red flags when treating infants and babies. In this case, the baby was referred to the pediatric hospital and ultimately received a shunt. While I have spoken with the parents since, I have not yet seen the baby again.

I feel grateful for the extra pediatric courses I have taken, as they equipped me to approach a case like this in the right way. Even when identifying a minor red flag, I believe it’s essential to consult with the GP. It’s always better to err on the side of caution.

For me, a key aspect of handling cases like this is how I communicate my concerns to the parents. I aim to clearly explain why I believe a visit to the GP is necessary, while ensuring my approach remains calm, respectful, and reassuring.

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C4:  You must take action to keep patients from harm.

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C4:  You must take action to keep patients from harm.

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As osteopaths, we meet many different people, each with their own unique challenges. Sometimes, we come across family situations where we need to step in. This could mean offering advice and support ourselves, or it might mean reaching out to others who are better equipped to help. There are also moments when we’re required by law to act, like in cases of violence against children or young people. The website above, created by The Council of Appeal, is a place where anyone - whether a healthcare professional or a concerned citizen -  can report worries about a child’s wellbeing or ask for help if they believe a child or young person needs extra support.

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C5:  You must ensure that your practice is safe, clean and hygienic, and complies with health and safety legislation.

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C5:  You must ensure that your practice is safe, clean and hygienic, and complies with health and safety legislation.

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The Danish Patient Safety Authority and Danske Fysioterapeuter has created this guideline to help clinics follow important safety protocols. It includes things like wearing appropriate clothing, avoiding jewelry, keeping hands clean, using protective gear, managing infections, and maintaining a clean environment. It also covers what to do in medical emergencies, like giving first aid, knowing where the closest defibrillator is, and getting help quickly. These are all areas where clinics need to meet specific standards, and we’re well-trained to handle them. I make sure to live up to these guidelines at the clinic.

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I perioden 2019-2022 blev der udarbejdet faglige standarder til akkreditering af fysioterapipraksis. Læs standarden om hygiejne.

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C6: You must be aware of your wider role as a healthcare professional to contribute to enhancing the health and wellbeing of your patients.

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C6: You must be aware of your wider role as a healthcare professional to contribute to enhancing the health and wellbeing of your patients.

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D1:  You must act with honesty and integrity in your professional practice.

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D1:  You must act with honesty and integrity in your professional practice.

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I believe it is crucial to maintain honesty and integrity when providing information about services and professional titles. Misleading information or advertising titles that I am not authorized to use not only undermines my credibility but also risks eroding public trust in the profession as a whole.

The Osteopathy Association in Denmark plays a vital role in upholding the standards and regulations for osteopaths. They provide clear guidelines regarding proper representation within the profession and regularly handle inquiries and complaints about practitioners who promote osteopathy without the required qualifications or authorization.

Following these regulations I uphold integrity in my practice by always prioritizing my patients' best interests and ensuring that every treatment, investigation, or referral is necessary and justified. I avoid any financial conflicts of interest, never pressuring patients into additional services, products, or prolonged treatments for personal gain. My advertising and professional information are transparent, factually accurate, and aligned with legal and ethical standards. Additionally, I maintain appropriate professional indemnity insurance to ensure patient protection and compliance with regulatory requirements.

By doing so, I not only ensure compliance with legal and professional standards but also reinforce the credibility and professionalism of osteopathy. Following these regulations, in my opinion, is critical for creating trust and confidence among patients and the general public, which is necessary for our profession's continued growth and respect.

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D2: You must establish and maintain clear professional boundaries with patients, and must not abuse your professional standing and the position of trust which you have as an osteopath.

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D2: You must establish and maintain clear professional boundaries with patients, and must not abuse your professional standing and the position of trust which you have as an osteopath.

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I am very mindful of respecting and upholding my patients' boundaries which I believe is one of the reasons I receive many personal referrals from patients I have treated or am still currently treating.

Reflecting on the General Osteopatic Councils statement shown in the evidence, I was reminded of a particular patient case were I feel I truly met this standard.

I recently had a 45-year-old female patient who came in with persistent lower back pain. She seemed quite anxious and shared that her pain had been affecting her life significantly. She also opened up about some personal challenges, including a recent divorce and financial stress. From the begining, I could sense her vulnerability, and she even mentioned feeling a bit awkward about being touched during treatment.

This case reminded me of the importance of setting clear and professional boundaries while being mindful of her emotional state. I took extra care to explain each step of the assessment process in detail, pointing out, that her consent was required before proceeding. For instance, I explained exactly how I would palpate her lower back and made sure she was comfortable before moving forward. I could tell, this helped her feel more at ease.

At one point, she expresed frustration with previous treatments, saying, "other practitioners just do things without asking." Hearing this, I made it a priority to collaborate with her throughout the session making sure I wouldnt be ”one of them”. I asked her how she felt about each step and encouraged her to share her preferences. This approach felt aligned with what I’ve learned about patient-centered care - it’s about creating a safe and respectful environment where the patient feels heard and in control.

During the treatment, I also thought about how communication around touch can impact trust. I made sure to explain every action in simple terms, saying things like, "I’m going to apply gentle pressure here to assess the tension in your muscles. Let me know if it feels uncomfortable, and we’ll adjust." I could see how much this helped her relax.

Another thing that stood out in this case was how her vulnerabillity shaped our interaction. I made a conscious effort to acknowledge her discomfort by saying, "I know this situation can feel a bit awkward but my goal is to ensure you feel supported and comfortable throughout." I noticed that this acknowledgment helped her open up, and it reinforced a sense of trust between us.

By the end of the session, she told me it was the first time she felt like someone had truly listened to her. That really stuck with me - it reminded me why boundaries and communication are so essential to what we do. In this case, building trust allowed us to make progress and over the next few sessions I saw her become more relaxed and engaged in her treatment.

Reflecting on this experience, it reminded me of the balance we must strike as practitioners - maintaining professionalism, encouraging trust, and creating an environment were patients feel both safe and respected. It also reinforced how powerfull clear communication can be, especially when working with patients who feel vulnerable.

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D3: You must be open and honest with patients, fulfilling your duty of candour.

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D3: You must be open and honest with patients, fulfilling your duty of candour.

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Reflection of a case

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D4:  You must have a policy in place to manage patient complaints, and respond quickly and appropriately to any that arise.

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D4:  You must have a policy in place to manage patient complaints, and respond quickly and appropriately to any that arise.

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Fortunately, I have never received a complaint and I will aim to make sure that remains the case. However, should I ever receive one I am prepared to address it in a good, professional, and structured way.

When addressing a complaint in my clinic, my primary focus is to make sure the patient feels heard, respected, and understood. I will start by actively listening to their concerns and allow them to express themselves fully without me interrupting them. I will ask thoughtful questions to clarify details and to make sure I have a complete understanding of the situation.

If something has gone wrong or caused the patient distress, I will offer a sincere and empathetic apology. I will take the time to explain any relevant circumstances and make sure to outline the steps I will take to resolve the issue. This might involve making adjustments to their treatment plan, improving aspects of my practice, or, if needed seeking further guidance to ensure the issue is resolved effectively.

I will make sure to carefully document the complaint so everything is clear and transparent. Throughout the process, I focus on open and honest communication, keeping the patient updated on any steps I’m taking to address their concerns. I generally don’t see complaints as failures but as chances to learn, grow, and build an even stronger trust and confidence with my patients.

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The Danish Patient Complaints Agency handles complaints from patients. You can complain to us about:

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D5:  You must respect your patients’ rights to privacy and confidentiality, and maintain and protect patient information effectively.

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D5:  You must respect your patients’ rights to privacy and confidentiality, and maintain and protect patient information effectively.

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This view is similar to how I obtain patients’ informed consent and present data to them about the purpose it will be used for. The need to be able to respond faster to a data breach makes it even important to have strong security measures that would make the patients comfortable knowing that their information is secure. In the end, after reading the GDPR, I remember the trust patients put in me in particular for my work in their health but also in the protection of their data. It remains a responsibility that I hold dear, and it increases my resolution to comply with these regulations.

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What is the GDPR? Europe's new data privacy and security law includes hundreds of pages' worth of new requirements for organizations around the world. This GDPR overview will help you understand the law and determine what parts of it apply to you.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the toughest privacy and security law in the world. Though it was drafted and passed by the European Union (EU), it imposes obligations onto organizations anywhere, so long as they target or collect data related to people in the EU. The regulation was put into effect on May 25, 2018. The GDPR will levy harsh fines against those who violate its privacy and security standards, with penalties reaching into the tens of millions of euros.

With the GDPR, Europe is signaling its firm stance on data privacy and security at a time when more people are entrusting their personal data with cloud services and breaches are a daily occurrence. The regulation itself is large, far-reaching, and fairly light on specifics, making GDPR compliance a daunting prospect, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

We created this website to serve as a resource for SME owners and managers to address specific challenges they may face. While it is not a substitute for legal advice, it may help you to understand where to focus your GDPR compliance efforts. We also offer tips on privacy tools and how to mitigate risks. As the GDPR continues to be interpreted, we'll keep you up to date on evolving best practices.

If you've found this page - "what is the GDPR?" - chances are you're looking for a crash course. Maybe you haven't even found the document itself yet (tip: here's the full regulation). Maybe you don't have time to read the whole thing. This page is for you. In this article, we try to demystify the GDPR and, we hope, make it less overwhelming for SMEs concerned about GDPR compliance.

History of the GDPR

The right to privacy is part of the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights, which states, "Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence." From this basis, the European Union has sought to ensure the protection of this right through legislation.

As technology progressed and the Internet was invented, the EU recognized the need for modern protections. So in 1995 it passed the European Data Protection Directive, establishing minimum data privacy and security standards, upon which each member state based its own implementing law. But already the Internet was morphing into the data Hoover it is today. In 1994, the first banner ad appeared online. In 2000, a majority of financial institutions offered online banking. In 2006, Facebook opened to the public. In 2011, a Google user sued the company for scanning her emails. Two months after that, Europe's data protection authority declared the EU needed "a comprehensive approach on personal data protection" and work began to update the 1995 directive.

The GDPR entered into force in 2016 after passing European Parliament, and as of May 25, 2018, all organizations were required to be compliant.

Scope, penalties, and key definitions

First, if you process the personal data of EU citizens or residents, or you offer goods or services to such people, then the GDPR applies to you even if you're not in the EU. We talk more about this in another article.

Second, the fines for violating the GDPR are very high. There are two tiers of penalties, which max out at €20 million or 4% of global revenue (whichever is higher), plus data subjects have the right to seek compensation for damages. We also talk more about GDPR fines.

The GDPR defines an array of legal terms at length. Below are some of the most important ones that we refer to in this article:

Personal data - Personal data is any information that relates to an individual who can be directly or indirectly identified. Names and email addresses are obviously personal data. Location information, ethnicity, gender, biometric data, religious beliefs, web cookies, and political opinions can also be personal data. Pseudonymous data can also fall under the definition if it's relatively easy to ID someone from it.

Data processing - Any action performed on data, whether automated or manual. The examples cited in the text include collecting, recording, organizing, structuring, storing, using, erasing... so basically anything.

Data subject - The person whose data is processed. These are your customers or site visitors.

Data controller - The person who decides why and how personal data will be processed. If you're an owner or employee in your organization who handles data, this is you.

Data processor - A third party that processes personal data on behalf of a data controller. The GDPR has special rules for these individuals and organizations. They could include cloud servers like Tresorit or email service providers like Proton Mail.

What the GDPR says about...

For the rest of this article, we will briefly explain all the key regulatory points of the GDPR.

Data protection principles

If you process data, you have to do so according to seven protection and accountability principles outlined in Article 5.1-2:

1. Lawfulness, fairness and transparency - Processing must be lawful, fair, and transparent to the data subject.

2. Purpose limitation - You must process data for the legitimate purposes specified explicitly to the data subject when you collected it.

3. Data minimization - You should collect and process only as much data as absolutely necessary for the purposes specified.

4. Accuracy - You must keep personal data accurate and up to date.

5. Storage limitation - You may only store personally identifying data for as long as necessary for the specified purpose.

6. Integrity and confidentiality - Processing must be done in such a way as to ensure appropriate security, integrity, and confidentiality (e.g. by using encryption).

7. Accountability - The data controller is responsible for being able to demonstrate GDPR compliance with all of these principles.

Accountability

The GDPR says data controllers have to be able to demonstrate they are GDPR compliant. And this isn't something you can do after the fact: If you think you are compliant with the GDPR but can't show how, then you're not GDPR compliant. Among the ways you can do this:

Designate data protection responsibilities to your team.

Maintain detailed documentation of the data you're collecting, how it's used, where it's stored, which employee is responsible for it, etc.

Train your staff and implement technical and organizational security measures.

Have Data Processing Agreement contracts in place with third parties you contract to process data for you.

Appoint a Data Protection Officer (though not all organizations need one - more on that in this article).

Data security

You're required to handle data securely by implementing " appropriate technical and organizational measures."

Technical measures mean anything from requiring your employees to use two-factor authentication on accounts where personal data are stored to contracting with cloud providers that use end-to-end encryption.

Organizational measures are things like staff trainings, adding a data privacy policy to your employee handbook, or limiting access to personal data to only those employees in your organization who need it.

If you have a data breach, you have 72 hours to tell the data subjects or face penalties. (This notification requirement may be waived if you use technological safeguards, such as encryption, to render data useless to an attacker.)

Data protection by design and by default

From now on, everything you do in your organization must, "by design and by default," consider data protection. Practically speaking, this means you must consider the data protection principles in the design of any new product or activity. The GDPR covers this principle in Article 25.

Suppose, for example, you're launching a new app for your company. You have to think about what personal data the app could possibly collect from users, then consider ways to minimize the amount of data and how you will secure it with the latest technology.

When you're allowed to process data

Article 6 lists the instances in which it's legal to process person data. Don't even think about touching somebody's personal data - don't collect it, don't store it, don't sell it to advertisers - unless you can justify it with one of the following:

1. The data subject gave you specific, unambiguous consent to process the data. (e.g. They've opted in to your marketing email list.)

2. Processing is necessary to execute or to prepare to enter into a contract to which the data subject is a party. (e.g. You need to do a background check before leasing property to a prospective tenant.)

3. You need to process it to comply with a legal obligation of yours. (e.g. You receive an order from the court in your jurisdiction.)

4. You need to process the data to save somebody's life. (e.g. Well, you'll probably know when this one applies.)

5. Processing is necessary to perform a task in the public interest or to carry out some official function. (e.g. You're a private garbage collection company.)

6. You have a legitimate interest to process someone's personal data. This is the most flexible lawful basis, though the "fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject" always override your interests, especially if it's a child's data. (It's difficult to give an example here because there are a variety of factors you'll need to consider for your case. The UK Information Commissioner's Office provides helpful guidance here.)

Once you've determined the lawful basis for your data processing, you need to document this basis and notify the data subject (transparency!). And if you decide later to change your justification, you need to have a good reason, document this reason, and notify the data subject.

Consent

There are strict new rules about what constitutes consent from a data subject to process their information.

Consent must be "freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous."

Requests for consent must be "clearly distinguishable from the other matters" and presented in "clear and plain language."

Data subjects can withdraw previously given consent whenever they want, and you have to honor their decision. You can't simply change the legal basis of the processing to one of the other justifications.

Children under 13 can only give consent with permission from their parent.

You need to keep documentary evidence of consent.

Data Protection Officers

Contrary to popular belief, not every data controller or processor needs to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO). There are three conditions under which you are required to appoint a DPO:

1. You are a public authority other than a court acting in a judicial capacity.

2. Your core activities require you to monitor people systematically and regularly on a large scale. (e.g. You're Google.)

3. Your core activities are large-scale processing of special categories of data listed under Article 9 of the GDPR or data relating to criminal convictions and offenses mentioned in Article 10. (e.g. You're a medical office.)

You could also choose to designate a DPO even if you aren't required to. There are benefits to having someone in this role. Their basic tasks involve understanding the GDPR and how it applies to the organization, advising people in the organization about their responsibilities, conducting data protection trainings, conducting audits and monitoring GDPR compliance, and serving as a liaison with regulators.

We go in depth about the DPO role in another article.

People's privacy rights

You are a data controller and/or a data processor. But as a person who uses the Internet, you're also a data subject. The GDPR recognizes a litany of new privacy rights for data subjects, which aim to give individuals more control over the data they loan to organizations. As an organization, it's important to understand these rights to ensure you are GDPR compliant.

Below is a rundown of data subjects' privacy rights:

1. The right to be informed

2. The right of access

3. The right to rectification

4. The right to erasure

5. The right to restrict processing

6. The right to data portability

7. The right to object

8. Rights in relation to automated decision making and profiling.

Conclusion

We've just covered all the major points of the GDPR in a little over 2,000 words. The regulation itself (not including the accompanying directives) is 88 pages. If you're affected by the GDPR, we strongly recommend that someone in your organization reads it and that you consult an attorney to ensure you are GDPR compliant.

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What is GDPR, the EU's new data protection law? - GDPR.eu

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What is the GDPR? Europe's new data privacy and security law includes hundreds of pages' worth of new requirements for organizations around the world. This GDPR overview will help...

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D6:  You must treat patients fairly and recognise diversity and individual values. You must comply with equality and anti-discrimination law.

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D6:  You must treat patients fairly and recognise diversity and individual values. You must comply with equality and anti-discrimination law.

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Case reflection

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D7: You must uphold the reputation of the profession at all times through your conduct, in and out of the workplace.

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D7: You must uphold the reputation of the profession at all times through your conduct, in and out of the workplace.

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In Denmark, patient safety is taken very seriously, and healthcare professionals are held to high standards both inside and outside the clinic. If a practitioner demonstrates gross negligence during treatment, a case can be brought before The Danish Complaints Agency (Sundhedsvæsenets Disciplinærnævn). This could result in an investigation and, in severe cases, the revocation of their authorization to practice. Interestingly, this doesn’t just apply to what happens in the clinic - there have been instances where practitioners have faced consequences for behavior outside of work if it caused harm to a patient.

For me, as a healthcare professional, this serves as a strong reminder of how important it is to act with kindness, respect, and compassion at all times. This isn’t just about how I treat patients during appointments, but also about how I interact with them in other settings - whether it’s a chance meeting in town or even an online interaction. Patients place a lot of trust in us, and it’s my responsibility to honor that trust through my behavior.

I know that failing to act professionally and respectfully can have serious consequences, not just for me personally but for the reputation of osteopathy as a whole. It’s something I think about often - how every interaction I have reflects on the profession. By being mindful of this, I ensure that I uphold the standards expected of me and help maintain the trust patients have in osteopathy.

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Du kan som patient klage over en eller flere sundhedspersoners sundhedsfaglige behandling til Sundhedsvæsenets Disciplinærnævn.

Sundhedsvæsenets Disciplinærnævn behandler klager, hvor en borger har ønsket at rette eventuel kritik mod en eller flere konkrete sundhedspersoner og den faglige virksomhed, der udøvet af dem inden for det danske sundhedsvæsen.

Ved faglig virksomhed forstås ikke kun behandling og pleje, som udføres af sundhedspersonalet. Nævnet tager også stilling til klager vedrørende de mere konkrete pligter knyttet til behandlingen og plejen, såsom klager over information og indhentelse af samtykke, udfærdigelse af lægeerklæringer, journalføring, og overtrædelse af reglerne om tavshedspligt.

Nævnet behandler også indberetninger fra Styrelsen for Patientklager og Lægemiddelstyrelsen, hvis disse myndigheder finder, at der vil være grundlag for kritik eller anden sanktion.

Du skal klage samme sted, som hvis du vil klage over et behandlingssted.
Klag over en sundhedsfaglig behandling

Om Sundhedsvæsenets Disciplinærnævn

Sundhedsvæsenets Disciplinærnævn er oprettet i 2011, og nævnets virksomhed reguleres af forretningsordenen og bekendtgørelsen af lov om klage- og erstatningsadgang inden for sundhedsvæsenet.

Disciplinærnævnet sekretariatsbetjenes af Styrelsen for Patientklager, der er en institution under Indenrigs- og sundhedsministeriet.

En uvildig myndighed

Disciplinærnævnet er en uvildig myndighed, der er uafhængigt af de myndigheder, der har ansvaret for sundhedsvæsenets drift. Når nævnet træffer afgørelser deltager to lægmænd, som repræsenterer sundhedsvæsenets brugere, og to sundhedsfagligt uddannede personer. Nævnet har en dommer som formand.

Medlemmer

Nævnet består for tiden af én formand, 2 næstformænd og 86 medlemmer.

Indenrigs- og sundhedsministeren udpeger formand og næstformænd, som skal være dommere. Ministeren beskikker for hvert fagligt område et antal medlemmer, der alle er sundhedsfagligt uddannede.

Nævnets lægmandsrepræsentanter beskikkes af ministeren efter indstilling fra Danske Patienter, Danske Handicaporganisationer og Forbrugerrådet.

Forvaltningslovens regler om inhabilitet gælder for alle nævnsmedlemmerne, ligesom de naturligvis også er underlagt tavshedspligt.

Nævnets sammensætning i en sag

Ved afgørelsen af den enkelte sag skal nævnet sammensættes af

formanden eller en næstformand

2 lægmandsrepræsentanter

2 repræsentanter for den gruppe af sundhedspersoner sagen vedrører.

Hvis nævnets medlemmer undtagelsesvis ikke har kunnet give møde, gælder særlige regler om behandlingen af den enkelte sag.

Behandlingen skal som minimum bestå af tre medlemmer bestående af en formand eller en næstformand, en lægmandsrepræsentant og en faglig repræsentant.

Disciplinærnævnets møder er ikke offentlige.

Nævnet træffer afgørelse ved stemmeflerhed. Eventuelle dissenser fremgår direkte af nævnets afgørelse.

Nævnet er i sin virksomhed uafhængig af instruktioner om den enkelte sags behandling og afgørelse. Nævnets afgørelser er endelige og kan ikke indbringes for anden administrativ myndighed.

Sundhedsvæsenets disciplinærnævn behandler klager over den faglige virksomhed, der udøves af en række forskellige persongrupper inden for sundhedsvæsenet i Danmark:

behandling og pleje

information og indhentelse af samtykke

udfærdigelse af lægeerklæringer

journalføring

overtrædelse af reglerne om tavshedspligt

opslag i patientjournaler

Nævnet behandler også indberetninger fra Styrelsen for Patientklager og Lægemiddelstyrelsen, hvis det vurderes, at der er grundlag for kritik eller anden sanktion.

Formænd og næstformænd indstillet af sundhedsministeren

Landsdommer Steen Mejer

Dommer Lene Hjerrild

Dommer Bo Rasmussen

Medlemmer indstillet af Ansatte Tandlægers Organisation

Medlemmer indstillet af Danmarks Apotekerforening

Medlemmer indstillet af Danske Bandagister

Medlemmer indstillet af Danske Bioanalytikere

Medlemmer indstillet af Danske Fodterapeuter

Medlemmer indstillet af Danske Fysioterapeuter

Medlemmer indstillet af Danske Handicaporganisationer

Medlemmer indstillet af Danske Osteopater

Medlemmer indstillet af Danske Patienter

Medlemmer indstillet af Dansk Kiropraktor Forening

Medlemmer indstillet af Dansk Psykolog Forening

Medlemmer indstillet af Dansk Sygeplejeråd

Medlemmer indstillet af Danske Tandplejere

Medlemmer indstillet af Domstolsstyrelsen

Medlemmer indstillet af Ergoterapeutforeningen

Medlemmer indstillet af Farmakonomforeningen

Medlemmer indstillet af FOA - Fag Og Arbejde

Medlemmer indstillet af Forbrugerrådet Tænk

Medlemmer indstillet af Foreningen af Kliniske Diætister

Medlemmer indstillet af Jordemoderforeningen

Medlemmer indstillet af Landsforeningen af Kliniske Tandteknikere, LKT

Medlemmer indstillet af Lægeforeningen

Medlemmer indstillet af Optikerforeningen

Medlemmer indstillet af Pharmadanmark

Medlemmer indstillet af Radiograf Rådet

Medlemmer indstillet af S.I.K (Grønland)

Medlemmer indstillet af Tandlægeforeningen

Medlemmer indstillet af Tandteknikerforeningen

Medlemmer indstillet af 3F - Fagligt Fælles Forbund

Inhabilitet

Inhabilitetsreglerne er med til at sikre, at Styrelsen for Patientklager træffer korrekte afgørelser.

Sagkyndige konsulenter er i forbindelse med arbejdet for styrelsen omfattet af forvaltningslovens regler om inhabilitet.

Styrelsen har som supplement til forvaltningslovens regler fastsat særlige retningslinjer for de sagkyndiges arbejde for styrelsen. Du kan læse disse nedenfor.

Inhabilitet og særlige retningslinjer

En sagkyndig konsulent må som udgangspunkt ikke medvirke ved behandlingen af en konkret sag i følgende situationer:

Hvis klager på noget tidspunkt er blevet undersøgt eller behandlet af den sagkyndige konsulent, eller hvis klager i forbindelse med det påklagede hændelsesforløb er blevet undersøgt eller behandlet på den sagkyndiges sygehus, klinik m.v.

Hvis den indklagede sundhedsperson er ansat på den sagkyndige konsulents sygehus, klinik m.v.

Hvis den sagkyndige konsulent under det påklagede hændelsesforløb har været ansat på den indklagede sundhedspersons sygehus, klinik m.v.

Hvis den sagkyndige konsulent har deltaget i sagsbehandlingen af samme sag i en anden institution, eksempelvis Retslægerådet.

Hvis den sagkyndige konsulent har nære personlige relationer til en af sagens parter.

Hvis den sagkyndige i øvrigt finder, at der foreligger konkrete omstændigheder, som kan være egnet til at vække tvivl om den sagkyndiges uvildighed.

I tvivlstilfælde skal spørgsmålet drøftes med sekretariatet.

Hvervet som sagkyndig konsulent i styrelsen er ikke foreneligt med:

medlemskab af faglige organisationers bestyrelser, udvalg, frivillige netværksordninger m.v., der har til opgave at bistå medlemmer i forbindelse med klageprocessen.

Den sagkyndige konsulent skal til enhver tid orientere Styrelsen for Patientklageri forbindelse med:

valg til faglige tillidsposter, der indebærer bistand til medlemmer i forbindelse med klageprocessen, jfr. punkt 2 ovenfor.

udførelse af tilsvarende konsulentopgaver for andre offentlige myndigheder, forsikringsselskaber, og lignende.

valg/udnævnelse til andre poster, som kan tænkes at have indflydelse på den sagkyndige konsulents uvildighed.

Der skal derefter konkret kan tages stilling til, om opgaven er forenelig med hvervet som sagkyndig.

Forvaltningslovens regler om inhabilitet følger af kapitel 2, i lovbekendtgørelse nr. 1365 af 7. december 2007, som senest ændret ved lov nr. 503 af 12. juni 2009:

§ 3. Den, der virker inden for den offentlige forvaltning, er inhabil i forhold til en bestemt sag, hvis

vedkommende selv har en særlig personlig eller økonomisk interesse i sagens udfald eller er eller tidligere i samme sag har været repræsentant for nogen, der har en sådan interesse,

vedkommendes ægtefælle, beslægtede eller besvogrede i op- eller nedstigende linie eller i sidelinien så nær som søskendebørn eller andre nærtstående har en særlig personlig eller økonomisk interesse i sagens udfald eller er repræsentant for nogen, der har en sådan interesse,

vedkommende deltager i ledelsen af eller i øvrigt har en nær tilknytning til et selskab, en forening eller en anden privat juridisk person, der har en særlig interesse i sagens udfald,

sagen vedrører klage over eller udøvelse af kontrol- eller tilsynsvirksomhed over for en anden offentlig myndighed, og vedkommende tidligere hos denne myndighed har medvirket ved den afgørelse eller ved gennemførelsen af de foranstaltninger, sagen angår, eller

der i øvrigt foreligger omstændigheder, som er egnede til at vække tvivl om vedkommendes upartiskhed.

Stk. 2. Inhabilitet foreligger dog ikke, hvis der som følge af interessens karakter eller styrke, sagens karakter eller den pågældendes funktioner i forbindelse med sagsbehandlingen ikke kan antages at være fare for, at afgørelsen i sagen vil kunne blive påvirket af uvedkommende hensyn.

Stk. 3. Den, der er inhabil i forhold til en sag, må ikke træffe afgørelse, deltage i afgørelsen eller i øvrigt medvirke ved behandlingen af den pågældende sag.

§ 4. Bestemmelserne i § 3 gælder ikke, hvis det ville være umuligt eller forbundet med væsentlige vanskeligheder eller betænkelighed at lade en anden træde i den pågældendes sted under sagens behandling.

Stk. 2. For medlemmer af en kollegial forvaltningsmyndighed gælder bestemmelserne i § 3, selv om en stedfortræder ikke kan indkaldes. Bestemmelsen gælder dog ikke, hvis myndigheden ville miste sin beslutningsdygtighed, eller hvis det af hensyn til myndighedernes sammensætning ville give anledning til væsentlig betænkelighed, hvis medlemmet ikke kunne deltage i sagens behandling, og behandlingen ikke kan udsættes uden væsentlig skade for offentlige eller private interesser.

Stk. 3. Ved kollegiale forvaltningsmyndigheders valg af medlemmer til hverv kan et medlem uanset bestemmelserne i § 3 deltage, selv om medlemmet er bragt i forslag. Bestemmelserne i § 3 gælder ikke for regionsråds eller kommunalbestyrelsers beslutninger om vederlag m.v. til medlemmer.

§ 5. Vedkommende minister kan efter forhandling med justitsministeren for bestemte områder fastsætte regler, der fastlægger den nærmere rækkevidde af bestemmelserne i §§ 3 og 4.

§ 6. Den, der er bekendt med, at der for den pågældendes vedkommende foreligger forhold, som er nævnt i § 3, stk. 1, skal snarest underrette sin foresatte inden for myndigheden herom, medmindre det er åbenbart, at forholdet er uden betydning. For så vidt angår medlemmer af en kollegial forvaltningsmyndighed gives underretningen til myndigheden.

Stk. 2. Spørgsmålet om, hvorvidt en person er inhabil, afgøres af den i stk. 1 nævnte myndighed.

Stk. 3. Vedkommende må ikke selv deltage i behandlingen og afgørelsen af spørgsmålet om inhabilitet, jfr. dog § 4, stk. 1 og 2. Dette gælder dog ikke på områder, hvor andet er fastsat i henhold til lov.

Telefon
72 33 05 00
Mandag, onsdag og fredag: kl. 10.00 - 14.00
Tirsdag: kl. 8.00-14.00
Torsdag: kl. 12.00-18.00

E-mail: stpk@stpk.dk

Adresse
Olof Palmes Allé 18 H
8200 Aarhus N

CVR: 39850885

EAN: 5798000363670

Følg os på LinkedIn

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Klag over en eller flere sundhedspersoner.

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D8: You must be honest and trustworthy in your professional and personal financial dealings.

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D8: You must be honest and trustworthy in your professional and personal financial dealings.

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Reflection on prices for osteopathy and how to handle this in an appropriate manner

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Keeping my personal and business finances in order is something I value deeply. It’s not just about numbers - it’s about taking responsibility and making choices that support my future. I make sure everything is well-organized, with clear records of income, expenses, and investments, so I can always see the bigger picture.

One decision that has made a big difference is working with a state-authorized accountant. Their expertise has been a huge help, especially with things like taxes, financial reports, and staying within the rules. Having someone who understands the details takes a lot of pressure off me and gives me the confidence that everything is handled properly.

With this support, I can focus more on my work and personal goals, knowing my finances are in safe hands. For me, choosing a state-authorized accountant wasn’t just about convenience - it was about making a solid investment in my future and the growth of my business.

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D9: You must support colleagues and cooperate with them to enhance patient care.

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D9: You must support colleagues and cooperate with them to enhance patient care.

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Working together and supporting colleagues is such an important part of improving patient care. At our clinic, we put a lot of value on sharing what we know with each other. It’s something that helps all of us grow and, in turn, benefits our patients.

With my background as a physiotherapist, I’ve had the chance to learn a lot about treating dizziness. I’ve made it a point to share that knowledge with my colleagues so they can apply it in their own practice. At the same time, they’ve taught me so much in areas where they have expertise. Whether it’s a technique I wasn’t familiar with or a new way of thinking about treatment, I’ve learned things I wouldn’t have on my own.

This constant sharing creates a really supportive and collaborative environment. It helps us all get better at what we do, and it means our patients are getting care from a team that’s always building on each other’s strengths. By teaching and learning from one another, we’re able to offer a much more well-rounded approach to patient care.

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D10:  You must consider the contributions of other health and care professionals, to optimise patient care.

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D10:  You must consider the contributions of other health and care professionals, to optimise patient care.

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Reflection on a current patient

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D11:  You must ensure that any problems with your own health do not affect your patients. You must not rely on your own assessment of the risk to patients.

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D11:  You must ensure that any problems with your own health do not affect your patients. You must not rely on your own assessment of the risk to patients.

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This article really made me stop and think about the challenges healthcare professionals face when it comes to their own health. I find it kind of ironic. We spend so much time helping others live healthier lives, yet the demands of our work often make it difficult to follow that advice ourselves. Long hours at the clinic, stress, and a busy schedule can easily push healthy habits to the backburner.

What struck me most was how closely our own well-being is tied to the care we give to our patients. If we’re stressed, exhausted, or not taking care of ourselves, it inevitably affects the quality of care and treatment we provide. I’ve often wondered if I’m doing enough to take care of myself so I can show up fully for my patients. This article was a reminder that prioritizing my own health isn’t just about me - it’s about being the best version of myself for my patients.

The suggestions for workplace interventions really stood out to me. Small things, like creating time for physical activity or offering healthier food options, could make a big difference. But I agree with the article that real change needs to come from a more systematic approach. It’s not enough to just tell healthcare professionals what they should do; we need workplaces that actually make it easier to live healthier lives even though this probably would be expensive and difficult.

Reading this has encouraged me to reflect on how I balance my own health with the demands of my work. It’s a reminder that self-care isn’t selfish - it’s essential. If I don’t prioritize my well-being, how can I expect to give my best to my patients?

I’ve noticed a clear pattern in my calendar: during stressful periods, like right before an exam, it tends to slow down and become less busy. On the other hand, when I’m feeling energized and motivated, my calendar fills up and thrives.

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Health care professionals represent a population at high risk for poor health. Although this may be counterintuitive given their expertise in health, the high stress and long hours of many medical work environments present challenges for health care…

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D12:  You must inform the GOsC as soon as is practicable of any significant information regarding your conduct and competence, cooperate with any requests for information or investigation and comply with all regulatory requirements.

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D12:  You must inform the GOsC as soon as is practicable of any significant information regarding your conduct and competence, cooperate with any requests for information or investigation and comply with all regulatory requirements.

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A5:  You must support patients in caring for themselves to improve and maintain their own health and wellbeing.

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A5:  You must support patients in caring for themselves to improve and maintain their own health and wellbeing.

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When treating patients with endometriosis, I always try to support them in managing their own health and wellbeing by providing them with useful resources. For example, I share professional links and trusted sources of information about endometriosis, empowering them to better understand their condition. This approach aligns with the principle of supporting patients in caring for themselves, as it encourages them to take an active role in improving and maintaining their health. By equipping them with reliable knowledge, I aim to help them feel more informed and in control of their journey toward better wellbeing.

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Her finder du 7 råd til symptomer ved endometriose-relateret IBS, idéer til motionsformer og øvelser til at afhjælpe muskelspændinger. Læs mere her ➔

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A6:  You must respect your patients’ dignity and modesty.

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A6:  You must respect your patients’ dignity and modesty.

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A6 - Burney, R.O., Giudice, L.C., 2012. Pathogenesis and pathophysiology of endometriosis. Fertility and Sterility 98, 511–519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.06.029

Siccardi, M., Valle, C., Angius, V., Di Matteo, F., 2020. Estimating the Mobility of the Michaelis Sacral Rhombus in Pregnant Women. Cureus 12, e7116. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.7116

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Reflection of a womens health case

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A7: You must make sure your beliefs and values do not prejudice your patients’ care.

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A7: You must make sure your beliefs and values do not prejudice your patients’ care.

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I worked with a patient who was experiencing dizziness, specifically caused by central issues that impacted her oculomotor function. To address this, I provided her with targeted eye exercises designed to enhance her oculomotor control and support her recovery.

Giving my patient oculomotor home exercises was an important way to help her move forward. I could see how her dizziness and balance issues were affecting not just her body, but her confidence and ability to enjoy everyday life. These exercises weren’t just about managing her symptoms - they where about helping her regain control and feel more steady and capable.

By providing something she could do at home, I wanted to give her a sense of ownership in her recovery. It’s one thing to help in the clinic, but it’s even more powerful to see how she came to take that work into her daily life and see the progress.

For me, it’s also about trust. Shes trusting me to guide her, and giving her these tools felt like a way to show I’m invested in her long-term health, not just the moments she was here with me. It reminded me how important it is to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms.

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Program - vestibulær rehab Lise 04.05.22

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I understand the importance of being accountable to the regulatory body that oversees our profession. In England, osteopaths must inform the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) promptly about any significant information that could impact their conduct or competence. This level of transparency is essential to maintaining trust in the profession and ensuring that patient care remains a top priority.

In Denmark, as a practitioner, I follow the requirements of Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed (The Danish Patient Safety Authority). Similar to the GOsC, it is my responsibility to cooperate fully with any requests for information or investigations and to comply with all regulatory requirements. This includes being proactive in addressing any concerns or incidents that might arise in my practice.

Reflecting on this, I see how these responsibilities are not just about following rules - they are about safeguarding patients and maintaining the integrity of the profession. Being open and cooperative with regulatory bodies is a vital part of ensuring that patients feel safe and confident in the care they receive. It also reinforces the importance of staying vigilant in my practice, continuously reflecting on my conduct, and striving to meet the highest professional standards.

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In this situation, I had a pregnant woman in her third trimester request internal vaginal treatment to release pelvic tension and prepare her pelvic floor for childbirth. While I understood her concerns and desire for support, I made the decision to deny her request based on my professional judgment and the risks involved. My priority was to ensure her safety and provide the best quality care, and I felt that proceeding with internal treatment during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, posed unnecessary risks, including the potential for infection or detaching the mucus plug.

Reflecting on this case, I recognize the importance of ensuring all patients receive equitable care. It is illegal to refuse treatment on discriminatory grounds, such as pregnancy or any other protected characteristic. However, the professional guidelines also make it clear that I am not obligated to provide a service if I believe I cannot deliver the high standard of care the patient is entitled to. My decision was not based on her pregnancy status itself, but rather on the specific risks associated with the requested treatment during pregnancy.

In denying the treatment, I took care to maintain a professional and respectful manner. I explained my reasoning clearly and provided her with the information she needed to understand why the treatment would not be safe in her situation. This approach ensured that she felt heard and respected, even if she might have been disappointed by my decision. Additionally, I offered alternative advice to help her prepare for childbirth and explained other ways she could address her concerns, ensuring she still felt supported in her care journey.

This case reinforced for me that declining a treatment is sometimes the most responsible decision a practitioner can make. Upholding the highest standards of care means being honest about what is and isn’t appropriate for a patient’s specific needs. By maintaining clear communication and prioritizing her safety, I acted in alignment with my professional responsibilities while still respecting her as an individual. It was a reminder that providing excellent care isn’t always about saying "yes"—sometimes it’s about knowing when to say "no" for the right reasons.