Study Guide

Objective

The student provides holistic guidance in promoting the health of the individual and supports the harmonious functioning of the autonomic nervous system through osteopathic treatment. The student interacts with people professionally, respectfully and empathically using a work approach that promotes health. The student has a client-centred approach and engages in dialogue with the client. The student is attuned to the state of their body and mind and controls it in order to support palpation and understand its importance in their own work.

The student is able to explain the concept of somatic dysfunction and can discuss its neurophysiological explanatory models. The student is able to reflect on how the concept of somatic dysfunction affects the development of the osteopath’s profession. The student applies the concept of somatic dysfunction when dealing with disorders in various parts of the body.

The student evaluates delicate changes in the flexibility and quality of tissue and can communicate observations professionally. The student’s palpation is anatomically precise and sensitive when the student examines and manipulates the client using osteopathic techniques. The student fine-tunes and accurately targets their palpation in manual osteopathic techniques.

The student examines and manipulates the tissues of the head and masticatory system as well as the cervical spine, thorax and hip regions using osteopathic techniques. The student can explain how the joints, bones, membranes and fluids work together in the structures of the head, nape and spinal regions. The student can explain the importance of the functioning of the thorax and hip area for a person’s health. The student recognises and evaluates the indications and contraindications for the neurological approach. The student collaborates with the client to prepare instructions that promote the client’s health.

Content

Autonomic nervous system
Concept of somatic dysfunction, its neurophysiological explanatory models and its significance in the osteopath’s profession currently
Somatovisceral and viscerosomatic reflex
Connections between the structures of the head, nape, spine and thorax on different tissue levels
Functioning of the temporomandibular (jaw) joint and masticatory system
Neural approach in osteopathy
Effects of stress on health and supporting the harmonious functioning of the autonomic nervous system
Guidance that promotes the client’s health and autonomy

Prerequisites

Neuroanatomy and -physiology, Promoting back health in osteopathy

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE BASE
- Student can search for knowledge resourcefully utilizing sources of the field and uses the knowledge base of the field
- Student is familiar with the knowledge base and core components of the profession

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND ACTIONS
- Student has adequate professional skills to work in the profession
- Student can work in a client-oriented way
- Student solves professional tasks and problems

ETHICS, COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
- Student works safely and in accordance with the ethical principles of the field
- Student displays competence benefitting groups or projects
- Student is able to evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses and development needs

Assessment criteria, good (3)

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE BASE
- Student searches for knowledge and justifies the use of sources
- Student uses the professional knowledge base consistently
- Student justifies actions by means of evidencebased knowledge

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND ACTIONS
- Student applies professional skills to different situations
- Student can act responsibly and in a clientoriented way
- Student can work in various tasks in diverse operating environments

ETHICS, COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
- Student justifies professional activities according to the ethical principles of the field and evaluates the safety of these activities
- Student can work in work groups and projects in a goal-oriented way
- Student develops oneself

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE BASE
- Student applies the professional knowledge base fluently and in a versatile way
- Student evaluates and uses evidence-based knowledge

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND ACTIONS
- Student applies professional skills in different situations and can evaluate the results of these actions
- Student can act responsibly and in a clientoriented way
- Student applies alternative solutions to professional decision-making

ETHICS, COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
- Student evaluates professional activities and safety according to the ethical principles of the field
- Student can work in different groups and projects with persons with diverse cultural backgrounds
- Student develops the work community and oneself

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

PASS: Same as satisfactory (see above)

Failed

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE BASE
- Student does not know or know how to use the concepts of the profession adequately
- Student uses the professional knowledge base one-sidedly

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND ACTIONS
- Student does not have the required professional knowledge or skills, and the level of professional competence proves inadequate
- Student does not reach the level of client

ETHICS, COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
- Student does not consider safety or ethical principles of the field sufficiently
- Student does not show adequate readiness to develop oneself or to participate