The double facets of osteopathy's identity

Abstract

Questions relating to osteopathic identity are likely to be characterised by double facets made up of both traditional and contemporary elements. The analysis conducted aims to be robust by presenting these components as elements able to dialogue. It is through Paul Ricoeur's concept that we propose as an approach: the idem identity concerns the elements that provide a certain temporal stability whilst the ipse identity embodies the variable aspects of the constitutive elements of osteopathy. Osteopathy's identity would thus be modelled by the association of these two regularly interacting influences insofar as they serve both issues: shaping a disciplinary specificity, and the requirements focused on the improvement of patient care.