Report: vision for osteopathy 2030

Osteopathy has thrived to become one of the fastest growing allied health professions in Australia, with trends of new registrants suggesting the profession will double in size from 2019-2024. In addition to unexpected external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, this rapid expansion will present numerous challenges and opportunities for the profession. Having a planned approach to growth will aid in advancing the profession and enable it to respond effectively with agility to the challenges and opportunities ahead. Education providers are already playing a central role in this process both within osteopathy and related professions.

With a strategic plan as its roadmap for the profession to take charge of its future, influencing decision-making processes are enabled. Strategic objectives are determined and balanced between the best information available at the time and the most realistic assessment of what can be achieved. This project aimed to anticipate pivotal factors to influence the profession in the future. Strategic solutions were then devised to help the profession embrace and overcome the opportunities and challenges ahead to position itself for success in 2030.

The vision for this Strategic Plan for Osteopathy 2030 is bold and ambitious and represents a clear attempt to define how we will continue to be successful as a united profession within a challenging and dynamic healthcare environment in Australia.

This work is a research project was conducted by RMIT University and funded by Osteopathy Australia. The project team leaders, Dr Azharuddin Fazalbhoy (Osteopath) and Ms Lee Muddle (Osteopath), and research assistant, Miss Chanelle Mastronardo (Osteopath) would like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions and support of the Steering Committee who have advised and driven the two-year project. The expertise of the Steering Committee, comprising of leaders in academia, clinical practice and the Osteopathy Australia Board, has been critical to shaping the Strategic Plan.

Strategic Plan for Osteopathy 2030