Osteopathic structure/function models renovation for a person-centered approach: a narrative review and integrative...

Area of Science:

• Osteopathic manipulative medicine
• Clinical reasoning
• Health sciences

Background:

• Osteopathic structure-function models are central to osteopathic clinical reasoning and treatment.
• Current clinical practice lacks standardized procedures for applying these models.
• A comprehensive perspective on their use is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the use of osteopathic structure-function models in clinical practice.
• To explore the phenomenon from a more comprehensive viewpoint.
• To identify gaps in the literature regarding their application.

Main Methods:

• A structured narrative review was conducted.
• Searches were performed in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar.
• Peer-reviewed articles without date or design limitations were included.

Main Results:

• Twenty-five findings were identified and categorized into two themes.
• Theme 1: Debate on models and theoretical frameworks in osteopathic care.
• Theme 2: Clinical reasoning and decision-making in the osteopathic field.

Conclusions:

• An integrated osteopathic approach using structure/function models can foster shared diagnostic reasoning and evidence-informed practice.
• Limited literature exists on applying osteopathic conceptual models to decision-making and treatment.
• A research plan is necessary to create a common framework for evidence-based, interdisciplinary, person-centered osteopathic care.