Year 4 by 21614233

GP letters..

658070 — 2021-02-09 14:53:26 UTC

I had written a few GP referral letters in the first two years of clinic. This was an important process to go through as knowing how to write these letter is of utmost importance for appropriate patient care and safety.
OPS C3

Keeping skills up to date with CPD!

658070 — 2021-05-07 12:37:01 UTC

Watching CPD events before graduation gives a strong insight as to the learning that lies ahead. These CPD events provided to be very useful in helping my clinical applications whilst in year 4.
OPS B1, B3-B4

Return to clinic amongst COVD.

658070 — 2021-05-07 12:39:38 UTC

Returning to study amongst COVID really illustrates some principles regarding keeping patients safe through understanding the wider context of the pandemic and thus keeping clinal spaces sanitised, hygienic and compliant with regulations.
OPS C4-C6

An introduction to children's clinic.

658070 — 2021-05-07 12:50:26 UTC

The idea of treating babies terrified me to begin with. In terms of knowledge and competence, it was a different world to adult clinic. A lot more to learn and new ways to think and evaluate with a whole different set of red flags. The new knowledge and skills gained really added to my repertoire as an osteopath, and also allowed me to learn, think and analyse in different ways whilst allowing me to help those younger than 18 for the first time.
OPS B1-B4

Sourced from ESO leaning zone.

Respecting your patients’ rights to privacy and confidentiality through letter writing.

658070 — 2021-05-07 13:08:26 UTC

I had to write a few letters during year 4 clinic. This was very good practice in terms of keeping to the stipulated guidelines and protecting patient information effectively. As several letters involved younger populations, it was even more important to protect the patient whilst also involving the mother/father (for consent etc).
OPS D5

Supporting patients to care for themselves was a much easier principle to grasp in year 4.

658070 — 2021-05-07 13:36:04 UTC

Sending patients exercises in a structured way provided to be a very valid way to help those care for themselves. This helped them in many ways from a more autonomous view upon health to helping them achieve results with reduced financial input.
OPS A5

Through stressful times it is very important to make sure you are evaluating your own health at all times.

658070 — 2021-05-07 14:08:06 UTC

Using these resources allows others to evaluate your own health and thus keeping to the guidelines and ultimately ensuring that our patients get the best of us at all times.
OPS D11

Specialist clinic results!

658070 — 2021-05-07 14:23:41 UTC

Opting for the specialists clinics really broadened my knowledge and skills with regards to osteopathy and how to tailor to individual needs.
OPS B1

Multiple CEX examinations during year 4.

658070 — 2021-05-09 10:39:10 UTC

There were three of these exams, one in each term. They were very stressful but at the same time very rewarding. They provided a level of feedback you could not get anywhere else as I was being assessed with live patients in real time. These exams directly assess my ability to conduct an osteopathic patient evaluation and deliver safe, competent and appropriate osteopathic care to my patients.
OPS C1

Upholding the professional standards applies at all times.

658070 — 2021-05-09 10:59:54 UTC

A stark reminder as to why it is important to uphold the reputation of the profession at all times through your conduct, in and out of the workplace.
OPS D7

Consent is an ongoing process.

658070 — 2021-05-09 11:25:08 UTC

An example form used in clinic to gain consent in order to examine intimate/sensitive areas. This is such an important process to go through and is a form I will be using in my own clinic. Using a process like this and asking the patient to think about it in their own time makes the process more valid.
OPS A4

More CPD!

658070 — 2021-05-09 16:47:29 UTC

OPS B3

Safeguarding is applicable at all times and to all ages.

658070 — 2021-05-09 17:00:17 UTC

The safeguarding lectures we had, alongside the supporting documents, gave us a firm grasp on what was expected and how to act if we are concerned about individuals. Another dimension added to our practice that allows us to keep patients out of harms way. Having these principles in our mind at all times is imperative as an osteopath.
OPS C4

Screening for potential vascular events in the neck.

658070 — 2021-05-09 17:23:56 UTC

Analysing and reflecting on papers like these will really go a long way to potential saving lives in practice. It is fundamental to be able to screen for events like these when we categorise patients as "safe to treat". Another essential reason why reflection and analyse are so important to osteopathic practice.
OPS B4

Rushton, A., Rivett, D., Carlesso, L., Flynn, T., Hing, W. & Kerry, R., 2014. International framework for examination of the cervical region for potential of Cervical Arterial Dysfunction prior to Orthopaedic Manual Therapy intervention. Manual Therapy, 19(3), pp.222-228.

Adapting communication and navigating case history taking.

658070 — 2021-05-09 18:16:33 UTC

An example from my second CEX whereby I learned how to support the patient in expressing themselves whilst taking into account their particular needs and wants. Learning how to do this is an ongoing process that is constantly refined the more patients you see.
OPS A2

Keeping compliant with procedure.

658070 — 2021-05-10 15:49:35 UTC

OPS C5

My dissertation on contextual factors.

658070 — 2021-05-10 16:05:44 UTC

Aside from taking a very long time to complete and many battles along the road, I produced a piece of work I was proud of. There was no research on this area in relation to osteopathy with my study being the first of its kind.
In terms of the OPS, this process made me so much more aware of how to respect and recognise individuality, expectations, preferences and concerns. It also taught me the importance of information and providing it in a way that all patients understand. A bi-product of doing this piece of research also highlighted my own beliefs and expectations that I was harbouring with regards to clinic, patients and osteopathy. The process of completing this dissertation on my own has made me more OPS compliant and a better osteopath in a multitude of ways.
OPS A1-A3, A5, A7

An excellent article outlining how to manage unconscious bias with regards to beliefs and values affecting patient care.

658070 — 2021-05-10 17:32:49 UTC

Reflecting on articles like these is vital in order to provide unbiased care. Using the strategies outlined, I started screening myself regularly to make sure I was not allowing prejudice to creep in my care.
OPS A7

Bucknor-Ferron, P. & Zagaja, L., 2016. Five strategies to combat unconscious bias. Nursing, 46(11), pp.61-62.

A clinic tutor talking about a difficult case and keeping within the limits of ones own training and competence.

658070 — 2021-05-10 17:58:07 UTC

This case presentation was presented to us precisely because of the presenters approach to the case. It was a complicated case which the tutor didn't feel she could take on at the time (having been qualified for only 2 years at the time) and thus she sought help from her mentor and did the required work to be able to take on the case with sufficient confidence and safety.
A very interesting and useful example of being able to recognise the limits to your competence and training and to either refer to someone more appropriate or take on the required work to be able to handle the case safely.
OPS B2

Slide sourced from ESO clinic tutor.

Why it is important to complete notes in an accurate, timely and legible fashion.

658070 — 2021-05-11 13:12:34 UTC

This brief CPD course concisely illustrates the importance of the above clause. The reasoning behind why it is important to do so is what really consolidated this clause.
OPS C2

Ausmed.co.uk. n.d. Record Keeping and Documentation. [online] Available at:

Maternity quiz scenarios and flags.

658070 — 2021-05-11 15:16:34 UTC

Quizzes like these help consolidate knowledge on new topics like maternity clinic. They provide very good insight as to our wider role and how we contribute to enhancing the health and wellbeing of our patients. Without this knowledge, we cannot know when to refer or keep patients safe.
OPS C6

The end is near, a look at insurance options.

658070 — 2021-05-11 16:02:06 UTC

Professional indemnity insurance is a must and directly relates to acting with honesty and integrity in ones practice. Without insurance, patients could be put in harms way and would also mean I am acting dishonestly. The IO is listed as my intended insurer on my GOsC application form.
OPS D1

IO. n.d. [online] Available at:

Maintaining professional boundaries.

658070 — 2021-05-11 16:32:07 UTC

I am glad I read the standards early as I was not aware of how many angles this clause has in relation to wider practice. Reading them has etched them into my mind.
OPS D2

The consequences of failing to be open and honest - failing duty of candour duties.

658070 — 2021-05-11 17:48:52 UTC

A real life example that ended up in court. Reading the article provides detailed reasoning as to why it is so important to uphold this principle. It also gives me tremendous insight in terms of difficulties to avoid in the future.
OPS D3

Jmw.co.uk. 2020. Breach of the Duty of Candour: First time prosecution. [online] Available at:

Complaints can turn out to be beneficial for both involved.

658070 — 2021-05-11 18:39:18 UTC

Most associate complaints negatively. It is however important to note that complaints can turn out to be a good thing. It is imperative to lay out a coherent and transparent policy by which patients can use with ease.
OPS D4

Equality Act 2010.

658070 — 2021-05-13 18:07:08 UTC

As a stipulation of the OPS, it is a requirement to be familiar with this act.
OPS D6

GOV.UK. n.d. Equality Act 2010: guidance. [online] Available at:

A real life example of when you are not clear about your pricing.

658070 — 2021-05-13 18:34:06 UTC

This scenario depicts why the OPS has the clauses it does. Clear and visible fees will reduce the likely hood of disputes emerging. A clear lesson to learn.
OPS D8

Handover forms summarising patient information.

658070 — 2021-05-14 12:47:05 UTC

This was a template used for the CCA returning patient. It provides excellent practice for the effectiveness of handover procedures in the future amongst colleagues and other healthcare professionals.
OPS D9

Emergency A&E referral form.

658070 — 2021-05-14 12:57:53 UTC

A very important form to be familiar with. Forms like these allow us to follow correct referral procedures depending on the severity of the patient complaints whilst also considering the contributions of other healthcare professionals with view to optimising patient care.
OPS D10

Endorsment of 6 points on my license.

658070 — 2021-05-14 13:12:03 UTC

A clear example of me following procedure as stated by the OPS and notifying the GOsC of any information needed regarding registration whilst complying with procedure.
OPS D12

Consent forms every new patient is required to sign.

658070 — 2021-05-23 10:43:49 UTC

jThese forms outline some key aspects of patients dignity and modesty such as the requirement to undress to a certain degree and the need for a chaperone etc. Using forms like these are so important to setting the expectations and beliefs of the patient, especially if they are new to osteopathy.
OPS A6

658070 — 2021-05-27 19:50:12 UTC

Ausmed.co.uk. n.d. Record Keeping and Documentation. [online] Available at:

Bucknor-Ferron, P. & Zagaja, L., 2016. Five strategies to combat unconscious bias. Nursing, 46(11), pp.61-62.

GOV.UK. n.d. Equality Act 2010: guidance. [online] Available at:

IO. n.d. [online] Available at:

Jmw.co.uk. 2020. Breach of the Duty of Candour: First time prosecution. [online] Available at:

Rushton, A., Rivett, D., Carlesso, L., Flynn, T., Hing, W. & Kerry, R., 2014. International framework for examination of the cervical region for potential of Cervical Arterial Dysfunction prior to Orthopaedic Manual Therapy intervention. Manual Therapy, 19(3), pp.222-228.