Osteopathy, the decree on equivalencies is expected in the Official Journal
The next step is greater integration into the National Health Service
Signed by the Ministry of Health, countersigned by the Undersecretary to the Prime Minister and registered by the Court of Auditors. The decree on equipollences in osteopathy is now in the home straight: its publication is expected in the Official Gazette. This was announced by Cristina Rinaldi, of the Health Professions Directorate General of the Ministry of Health, during the 11th National Congress of the Osteopathic Register of Italia (Roi), held last weekend in Rome.
This step is the conclusion of a long journey, which began with law 3/2018 that led to the establishment of osteopathy as a health profession and the definition of the didactic order of the degree course in osteopathy within the class of degrees in prevention health professions (L/SNT/4). Remaining unresolved was precisely the issue of equivalencies.
The decree therefore allows recognition of previous qualifications, the activation of special lists, and the establishment of the professional register within the maxi health professions order (Fno Tsrm-Pstrp). It will also be easier to include lecturers of the characterising disciplines in universities that start degree courses in osteopathy.
"The aim is not only to finalise the path of regulation of the profession, but also to promote an increasingly concrete integration of the osteopath within theNational Health System," commented Mauro Longobardi, president of the Roi, "enhancing its contribution at all levels of prevention, transdisciplinary dialogue with other health professions, excellence in training and the transition to university courses.
A more precise definition of the osteopath's duties will also make cooperation with physiotherapists more serene, after years of not always easy relations, as the treasurer of the Fnofi, Angelo Giovanni Mazzali, emphasised. 'I believe that our professions will be able to collaborate effectively precisely because of the role that the two federations will play. The future will increasingly demand integration skills and interdisciplinary confrontation, a collaboration based on the clarity of roles'.
