Osteopathy in Norway
Norsk Osteopat Forbund, NOF (Norwegian Association of Osteopathy) is an organization for osteopaths in Norway. NOF was established in 1993. In 2011 there was 230 members of NOF. About 90 % of the osteopaths in Norway are organized in NOF.
Osteopaths or students may apply for membership if they have graduated from or are attending education at the Nordic Academy of Osteopathy or similar postgraduate education, or if they have graduated from or are attending education from accredited undergraduate education abroad.
NOF is engaged in extensive international academic and organisational co-operation.
NOF offers a collective insurance to its members.
Members survey 2009
A survey among the members of Norwegian Osteopathic Association, NOF was carried out in September through November 2009 in order to obtain information on the working situation of the NOF members and how they deal with the transfer of or establishing an osteopathic practice versus a physical therapy practice. The results were compared with a similar survey from 2007.
Here are the results and conclusion.
2.1 Introduction
A survey among the members of Norwegian Osteopathic Association, NOF was carried out in September through November 2009 in order to obtain information on the working situation of the NOF members and how they deal with the transfer of or establishing an osteopathic practice versus a physical therapy practice. The results were compared with a similar survey from 2007.
2.2 Main Conclusion
The main conclusions from the survey form a firm basis for stating that osteopathy is a distinct profession among other health care professions, and that osteopathy is available throughout Norway. This is confirmed by the increasing number of osteopaths working full time and part-time as osteopaths. The osteopaths have a strong dedication to the osteopathic profession, and do not seek a double authorisation as osteopath and physiotherapist, and they are prepared to relinquish the authorisation as physiotherapist the day the authorisation as osteopath is valid.
2.3 The Results
The membership survey from 2007 showed that 81% of the osteopaths work in osteopathic practice full time or part-time. 42% were working in full time practice. The 2009 survey showed that 83% work as osteopaths full time or part-time. 43% are working full time, i.e. a 1% increase for those with full time osteopathic practice and totally and increase of 3%.
The 2007 survey also showed that 58% of the osteopaths do not have any economical management appointment with the local county with an obligation to run a physical therapy practice. The similar result from the 2009 survey is 60%, i.e. a 2% increase. This illustrates the trend of osteopathy in Norway being established as a distinct profession, not being part of the physical therapy profession.
2.4 Survey Method
A questionnaire was prepared by an internet poll provider company www.surveymonkey.com The link to the questionnaire was issued to all members of the NOF by e-mail. The survey ensured anonymity, except for information about geographical location. The questionnaire was issued three times during the period September through November 2009. The response percentage was 54.2% (n=129) among the 230 members of the organization
Our aims
The Norwegian Association of Osteopathy is working for:
An authorisation of the title osteopath, and to be regulated under the Norwegian Health Personnel Law. Then the title osteopath will be a legally protected professional title. This is in the interest of the patients and will protect the concept of osteopathic philosophy, diagnosis and treatment.
NOF is working towards establishing osteopathy in Norway as an independent profession.
NOF is working with issues raised by and concerning our members.
NOF is working with the continuous development of the highest standards of academic and ethical standards through educational training and research.
NOF is working toward a public acceptance and recognition of osteopathy as treatment and how it is functioning
The Organisation
The main office is located in the city of Drammen, about 40 km north west of Oslo. NOF has a part time employed secretary.
The board of NOF is elected at the annual assembly with a president, four board members, and two deputy members.
The members of NOF are committed to the statutes of NOF, which are laid down by the annual assembly, and there must be a 2/3 majority vote to carry a change of the statutes. The statutes include paragraphs about academic and ethical standards of the members, and on the rights and duties of the osteopath. The financial base of NOF is membership fees.
The annual meeting also elects:
An ethical committee, with three members. This committee deals with the osteopathic ethical and academic relations following the statutes of NOF. The statutes are in accordance with the Norwegian Health Personnel Law. The statutes describe among others, guidelines on professional secrecy, ethical relations and matters concerning patients' interests. A member may be excluded from continued membership if he or she does not comply with the statutes of the NOF.
A control committee, with two members and one deputy. Their mandate is to overlook the economical issues of the NOF.
An electoral committee, with two members and one deputy. Their mandate is to propose candidates for positions in the NOF.
In addition the board has appointed a number of different committees:
An authorisation committee, working with issues concerning the authorisation process in Norway. Members from the committee are representing the osteopaths' interests towards the Norwegian Authorities.
A committee for postgraduate education, encouraging the members to continuously develop their osteopathic academic skills.
An editorial staff, working with information towards the members of NOF, and towards the public through the NOF web site.
Do you wish to apply for membership?
Application form can be downloaded from this site