Osteopaths: Newly Qualified vs Established & Experienced

Osteopaths: Newly Qualified vs Established & Experienced
By Belinda Eyes D.O.

I first met Rosie a couple of years ago when a mutual friend said that she knew someone who was currently at university in Swansea studying Osteopathy.

Following up on this information, Rosie and I had several meetings, including Rosie sitting in on a treatment session to see how an established Osteopath worked. Jump forward 18 months, and we welcomed Rosie in 2025 as the newest member of our team at CVT where she works on a Wednesday morning as a newly qualified Osteopath.

It has been great to have another Osteopath to work alongside after almost 40 years of working as a sole practitioner.

It has been of great interest to me to see the difference in the training Rosie completed in 2025 compared to that of 40 years ago. It is still a full time, 4 year training with over 1200 supervised hours in a clinical setting, however treatment approach is now much more likely to be shaped by research based evidence gained through scientific studies, rather than relying solely on anecdotal knowledge based on patient response. The advances in, and increased use of imaging has enabled us to see first hand the changes that are happening due to treatment, and we have gained greater understanding of many aspects of how our bodies function, and (from my point of view) most interestingly in relation to the nervous system, and hence how and/or why our bodies respond in the way they do.

While student Osteopaths are taught all of the most up to date approaches, techniques, research and treatment as part of their training, all practicing Osteopaths, to maintain their registration (which allows them to work), continue to learn the same through the mandatory 30 hours of Continued Professional Development every year, meaning a ‘newly qualified’ and an ‘experienced’ osteopath will be working from the same knowledge base.

Many patients still value ‘experience’ over someone newly qualified (if this weren’t the case, I could have been out of work many years ago!), which is understandable to some degree. However, someone new to the role, bringing fresh perspective and enthusiasm, may notice details that experience can sometimes overlook due to established ways of thinking.

Having consulted with Rosie on a couple of cases, I can categorically confirm that we have both come to pretty much the same diagnosis and treatment plan. I recently had the pleasure of being on the receiving end of some treatment for a bad back and leg pain. I can say that, not only was the treatment (and diagnosis) with Rosie just what I would have done with a patient, but it has also proven to be very effective.

I currently have absolutely no plans to retire, but it is great to have Rosie in the practice, offering additional appointment times and cover. As those of you who have known me for some time are aware, I do enjoy my holidays and having Rosie means that I will no longer be leaving all of you in the lurch when I take off to sunnier climes!