The aim of this study is to identify and analyse research priorities across the osteopathic profession internationally, to determine how different interested parties conceptualise research importance and to examine how contextual factors influence research prioritisation.

A mixed methods sequential exploratory design combining an umbrella review, a thematic analysis, an expert consensus agreement and an international cross-sectional survey was used to define, validate and evaluate research priorities.

An international online survey, available in nine languages, was distributed through professional osteopathic organisations and network worldwide, a patient representative organisation and social media.

2229 respondents including patients (7.4%), practitioners (42.1%), students (17.4%), educators (13.5%), researchers (5.0%) and policy makers (4.3%) from across 42 countries.

Primary outcomes were interested party’s conceptualisation of research importance and validation of the priorities in Research for Osteopathic Care (PROCare) framework. Secondary outcomes included current research priorities across interested parties groups and influence of contextual factors on prioritisation.

Three distinct approaches to priority-setting emerged: conservative (42.9%), sceptic (20.2%) and enthusiast (36.9%). Organising research priorities as a construct built from domains and subdomains was shown to be internally valid (Cronbach’s α=0.911). ‘Patient safety’ (nominated by 82% of relevant countries) and ‘physical activities and mobility’ (51.0%) were the most prioritised subdomains. ‘Digital health’ ranked lowest (28th of 28 subdomains). Significant geographic variations were observed mainly for the overall importance to most research domains. Strong consensus emerged around core priorities including patient safety, physical activity promotion and understanding treatment mechanisms.

The PROCare framework provides a validated structure for evaluating osteopathic research priorities across diverse interested parties. While geographic variations exist in priority emphasis, fundamental agreement on key research domains suggests potential for internationally coordinated research strategies. Future work should focus on developing mechanisms to ensure balanced representation of conservative, sceptic and enthusiast perspectives in research planning.

To explore possible factors related to the increased likelihood of retirement from practice and increased number of complaints and concerns received by osteopaths in practice 10 years or more.

Online cross-sectional survey.

UK osteopathic healthcare.

UK-based osteopaths registered with the General Osteopathic Council.

570 questionnaires were eligible for analysis. Respondents were mostly women (57.5%), working in England (90.7%), white or white British (91.8%), 50–59 years of age (29.6%) and practicing for 0–5 years (16.9%). Osteopaths who had been in practice for 10 years or more were significantly (² tests, p

Osteopaths who have been in practice for 10 years or more have some significantly different demographics and aspects of clinical practice and patient management to those in practice less than 10 years. However, it is not clear whether these differences are influential in decisions for leaving practice or the increased number of concerns and issues received.