International Academy of Osteopathy
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The International Academy of Osteopathy (IAO) is an international college that offers modern & academic courses in osteopathy.[1] The IAO has sites in Denmark, Egypt, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Students can obtain the Diploma in Osteopathy (DO), the Bachelor of Science with Honours in Osteopathic Studies (BSc.(Hons)Ost.Stud.) (in cooperation with the Buckinghamshire New University) and/or the Master of Science in Osteopathy (MSc.Ost.) (in cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences). The courses are internationally recognised and are in accordance with the Bologna process.
History
The IAO was established in 1987 by Michel Janssens (†1995), Grégoire Lason and Luc Peeters. In that same year the first courses were started in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Over the years, the IAO has developed into Europe's largest academy for osteopathy. The academy has a rich history, which you can discover through the facts set out below.
2015 Accreditation of the Master course in collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences – Tyrol by the German accreditation organisation AHPGS. As a result, the full Master, which is worth 120 credits, complies fully with the Bologna Process. Unique in Europe!
2014 The IAO begins a relationship with Buckinghamshire New University (London). This university accredits the first three Bachelor years of the full-time course and confers the Bachelor of Science with Honours in Osteopathic Studies. The subsequent 2-year Master course is accredited by the University of Applied Sciences, which confers the degree MSc.Ost.
2014 On the 7th of October 2014, the approval committee of the Dutch CPION (het Centrum Post Initieel Onderwijs, translated into English: The Centre for Post Initial Education in the Netherlands) has issued a positive advice about the curriculum of the International Academy of Osteopathy. This means that students who graduate from the fulltime training, can also obtain a certificate of "Basic Medical Knowledge". You can find more information on the Dutch website of CPION: http://www.cpion.nl/Aanbieder.aspx?Id=6991 2014 The IAO changes the full-time course from a 4-year course (BSc.(Hons) Ost. to a 5-year course, entirely in compliance with the Bologna process.
2013 The IAO starts a modular course for osteopathy in Cairo, Egypt. The first cohort of students has more than 40 participants.
2013 The IAO establishes its 16th training centre in Germany. Osteopathy courses are now offered in 16 German cities, two Austrian cities, with one course in Denmark and Switzerland. 2,500 students follow a course at the IAO and the IAO now has a teaching staff of 150 teachers and assistants.
2011 The IAO begins a relationship with the ISO Paris osteopathy school. This also allows French-speaking students to obtain this French diploma, enabling them to work legally as osteopaths in France.
2011 In collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences the IAO organises the Master course in Innsbruck, Berlin and Ghent.
2011 25 students (mainly IAO teachers) graduate as Masters of Science in Osteopathy MSc.Ost.
2009 The IAO begins a relationship with the University of Applied Science – Tyrol (fhg). In collaboration with this university, the IAO organises a Master of Science course in osteopathy (120 credits). The first cohort of students begins in October 2009. 2008 The IAO is recognised by the NUFFIC, meaning that Dutch students receive subsidies and study funding from the Dutch State.
2008 The IAO is recognised by the Flemish Government as a training provider in the context of the SME portfolio.
2004 The full-time course at the IAO is accredited by the University of Wales. This accreditation becomes a fact through external audits and the support of “external examiners”. Students obtain the BSc. (Hons) Ost. after a 4-year course.
2003 Start of the academic relationship with the University of Wales.
2003 The IAO obtains the quality standard ISO9001 in “Osteopathic Training and Education”. This was unique for a school in Europe.
2001 The political situation in Belgium obstructs the implementation of the Colla Law. The law is not further developed as described.
1999 The Belgian Federal Parliament passes the “Law on non-conventional therapies/Colla Law”. This is a framework law designed to regulate osteopathy, acupuncture, homeopathy and chiropraxy. The IAO plays an active role in this process.
1999 All IAO osteopath teachers obtain the BSc.(Hons) Ost. at the University of Westminster.
1997 The IAO obtains the quality standard ISO9008 in “Osteopathic Training and Education”. This was unique for a school in Europe.
1997 14 teachers from the IAO obtain the academic degree Bachelor of Science (with Honours) in Osteopathic Medicine (BSc.(Hons) Ost. Med. at the University of Westminster. 1996 Intense contact with BCOM (British College of Osteopathic Medicine) with the aim of accelerating the academic development of training.
1994 Start of the full-time course in Ghent. Number of contact hours: 3,345. The course is full-time and lasts 5 years.
1991 The number of contact hours (initially 900 hours) was increased to 1,250 contact hours.
1987 Establishment of the IAO as a postgraduate training institute for physiotherapists and doctors wanting to study osteopathy. Founders:
Michel Janssens (†) Grégoire Lason Luc Peeters
The college grew, becoming the largest institute for osteopathy in Europe. IAO conferred the DO diploma (DO). Over 2500 students are currently studying at the IAO.
For more information: http://www.osteopathie.eu/en/about-iao/history
Mission
"To train our students to be safe, competent and independent osteopaths." The IAO therefore offers modern courses that meet the highest possible academic standards. They set great store by a good scientific foundation (Evidence-Based Practice - EBP). The IAO expects of its students to always act on the basis of a broad scientific knowledge.
For more information: http://www.osteopathie.eu/en/about-iao/mission-and-values
Osteopathic profession
The IAO continues to work towards increasing the academic nature of the osteopathic profession and the recognition of the profession of osteopathy in all countries where we organise training. Collaboration with the existing medical professions is vitally important in this regard.
Social purpose
In addition to their osteopathy courses, the IAO also tries to fulfil a social purpose. In their free clinics in Ghent and Antwerp (Belgium), they give everyone the chance to enjoy the benefits of an osteopathic treatment. In the IAO-clinics, patients can be treated free of charge by the final-year students, of course always under the supervision of a qualified osteopath.
ISO 9001 Label
In March 1997 the IAO was awarded the ISO 9001 quality certificate in "Osteopathic Education and Training", making them the first college for osteopathy in Europe to gain this quality label.
The ISO 9001 Quality Label was produced by ISO/TC 176 "Quality management and quality assurance" of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This European Standard has the status of National Standard in the following countries: Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, France, England, Finland, Italy, Spain, Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland, Greece, Portugal, Austria, Ireland, Norway, Iceland, etc.
The IAO is regularly and thoroughly audited in relation to the international ISO quality standard. Until April 2018 the IAO holds the EN ISO 9001 quality label, which is unique in Europe. The ISO 9001 model of quality assurance is independent of the nature of the economic activity or the services offered. The system is specified per sector and therefore also involves specific requirements for education. The IAO created and maintains a written quality manual with specific procedures in relation to the education provided and the services offered. The IAO and its employees adhere strictly to these procedures. Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Ltd. conducts regular external checks and audits.
The IAO was knighted in the Order of Quality Care on the basis of this ISO Label. Further information about this label can be found at the website of the ISO (International Standards for Business, Government and Society).
Locations
The IAO offers trainings in Austria (Innsbruck, Vienna), Belgium (Antwerp, Ghent, Mont-Saint-Guibert), Denmark (Copenhagen), Egypt (Cairo)Netherlands (Zeist), Germany (Berlin, Darmstadt, Dortmund, Dresden, Erlangen, Freiburg, Hamburg, Leipzig, Memmingen, München, Neuss, Osnabrück, Passau, Stuttgart) and Switzerland (Brunnen).
Management
Since 1987, the IAO has been managed by Grégoire Lason (MSc. Ost.) and Luc Peeters (MSc. Ost.). The management is supported by nine vice-principals, also teachers at the IAO: Peter Frassmann (MSc. Ost.), Jo Parmentier (MSc. Ost.), Marc Asche (MSc. Ost.), Johan Schelpe (MSc. Ost.), Tobias Strobl (MSc. Ost.), David Barrix (MSc. Ost.), Gunther Barty (MSc. Ost.), Lieven Rouffaer (MSc. Ost.) and Priska Wikus (MSc. Ost.).
See also
References
- ^ "Training osteopathy". International Academy of Osteopathy. Retrieved 5 October 2012.