The studies of physiotherapist or osteopath seen by two students

ByJonathan Grelier,published on January 26, 2022 5 min

The differences between the training of osteopath and masseur-kinesitherapist are not always obvious. Mathis, a student at the IdHEO school of osteopathy in Nantes and Marine, a student at the masso-kinesitherapy training institute in Lyon, will help you see things more clearly.

It often happens to confuse them or at least, to have trouble seeing the differences between these two professions and yet, becoming a physiotherapist or an osteopath does not really mean the same thing. Two students – one in physio studies, the other in osteopathy training – testify.

Conditions for admission to osteopathy or physio studies: draw

Mathis: "The schools of osteopathy are private and must receive approval from the Ministry of Health, valid for five years, to issue the diploma. The approval is not linked to on-site checks, so I advise you to do the open days because not all establishments are equal . Also, the training courses are not on Parcoursup. To join the IdHEO, I was taken on file and motivational interview."

Marine: "The institute where I study is public and is located on the same premises as the faculty of medicine. In my class, 80% of the students went through PACES (which has become PASS and L.AS since the start of the 2020 school year) The others come from a STAPS, biology license or are caregivers who have benefited from specific gateways."

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Diplomas: advantage to physiotherapists

Mathis: " The course to obtain the diploma of osteopath lasts five years. It does not confer a master's degree. For doctors, midwives and physiotherapists, gateways to the profession of osteopath exist, but the reverse n is not true."

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Marine: " Physiotherapy studies last five years (including one academic year then four in an institute) and the diploma now gives the grade of master."

The content of the formations: ball in the center

Mathis: "My training is quite dense and I don't really have a typical week because the timetable varies according to the availability of the teachers who are osteopaths and other health professionals. So far, I have had courses in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics or even semiology, the study of the clinical signs of pathologies... In the fifth year, 150 full consultations are required to be able to validate the diploma."

Marine: "The beginning of physio training is very theoretical with, for example, anatomy and kinesiology courses (study of movement). There is quickly a practical aspect despite everything with the learning of manual techniques. For the moment , I did internships in private practice, as well as at the Femme Mère Enfant hospital and in a private clinic in Lyon. We very quickly had the possibility of assisting the physiotherapist, then of taking care of the patient alone under his supervision in the third year. In the last year, I will have to do a six-month internship."

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The cost of studies: slight advance of physiotherapists

Mathis: " Studying as an osteopath is rather expensive and the students have very little help. In my school, the year costs up to 9,000 euros. Without repetition, we have to pay a total of between 40,000 and euros. At the IdHEO, students can request university accommodation thanks to a partnership with the University of Nantes. But we do not have the possibility of obtaining a scholarship."

Marine: "In my institute, a year costs 2,000 euros on average. But the cost of studies varies according to the institutes. Some only charge 170 euros for the year (amount of an academic year at the university, editor's note) , while others can go up to 5,000 or even 10,000 euros per year.

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Professional integration: it's up to you

Mathis: " Overall, for osteopaths, professional integration is done as a liberal. It is possible to open a practice, take over an existing practice or replace osteopaths already established. Unlike physiotherapists, osteopaths cannot work in rehabilitation centers in hospitals."

Marine: "For physiotherapists, there are two main outlets: the hospital and freelance exercise . It is also possible to work in large firms that are already well established."

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