The purpose of the project was to draw together existing knowledge about communicating risk within a healthcare consultation, in order to assist osteopaths in practice and to inform practitioner guidelines for communicating the risks of osteopathic treatment.

The study aimed to address three research questions:

• What are the most effective ways of communicating risk of adverse effects to patients in the context of osteopathic practice?
• What constitutes good practice when seeking informed consent from patients for osteopathic care?
• What should osteopaths be aware of in order to understand clinical risk effectively?

The evidence was gathered through a wide-ranging literature review and narrative synthesis of the findings, drawing out the points of particular relevance for osteopathic practice. Some information material on risks and benefits in osteopathic practice was drafted, based on the recommendations in the literature. This was pilot tested in two focus groups of osteopaths and osteopathic patients.

The aim of this study was to provide guidance to osteopaths on good practice relating to communicating with patients about any risks of treatment. A wide-ranging literature review provided initial evidence and points of particular relevance for osteopathic practice were drawn out.

Some information material on risks and benefits in osteopathic practice was drafted, based on the recommendations in the literature, and this was piloted in two focus groups of osteopaths and osteopathic patients. The resulting report includes the results of the focus group pilots and each chapter of the report concludes with key messages for osteopaths. It can be downloaded here