Why do you now call yourselves Osteopathic Practitioners instead of osteopaths?

The Osteopathic International Alliance (OIA) recognises internationally that there are two streams of osteopathic practice.  Osteopathy practised by osteopaths, and osteopathic medicine practised by osteopathic physicians.
The majority of countries in the world and the majority of osteopaths in Canada use these internationally accepted titles and definitions. Unfortunately, British Columbia is out of step with these standards and the titles “Osteopath” and “Osteopathic Physician” are currently reserved for osteopathic physicians here.
Members of the SPMPO therefore use the title ‘Osteopathic Practitioner” in British Columbia to make it very clear that we are not physicians and to conform with the law.
We regret any public confusion which may be caused by not following international standards, but this is beyond our control.