Personal Researcher Page of Paul J Orrock

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Paul J Orrock

Southern Cross University

• Senior Lecturer, School of Health & Human Sciences - Lismore
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Mr Paul Orrock MAppSc(VU), ND, DBM, DO 

Paul has completed research into both clinical and educational aspects of his
professions. He was a member of the research team investigating Competency Based
Assessment for overseas applicants for osteopathic registration, funded by the Federal
Government (NOOSR) in 1992-3. He also investigated the development of a compulsory
Continuing Education policy for the Australian Osteopathic Association in 1992-3 by a
survey of members and a literature review of the activities of other health professions.
This resulted in the approval of a CPD policy for the national profession. 

Paul completed a research Masters degree in pelvic function in gait at Victoria
University in 2002. The thesis was titled “The association of osteopathic tests and
diagnoses of sacroiliac joint dysfunction with ground reaction forces during gait”
(thesis abstract attached). This study had a primary aim of exploring the osteopathic
method of diagnosis which has not been validated experimentally – this has continued to
be an interest in Paul’s scholarly activities. Paul presented these findings to a number
of national and international peers, including at the World Congress on Low Back and
Pelvic Pain in Montreal, 2001. 

Paul has also been principal investigator of research into the osteopathic profession. He
completed the Osteopathic Census 2004 – a pivotal workplace survey of osteopaths and
their patients, the results of which have been published in the international peer
reviewed literature (references links), and presented to the national and international
osteopathic professions. This project was funded by a grant from the National Fund for
Research in Osteopathy, now called the Lallemand Fund. 

Paul has supervised osteopathic students research projects including: The effects of
osteopathic treatment on mood, The effects of treatment of anterior innominate
dysfinction on gait, and the effect of Vitamin C on arterial stiffness. During 2003-4,
Paul and his Honours student investigated the effects of a clinical placement he had
instigated for the naturopathic students in St Vincent’s Hospital, Lismore. The research
was based on mixed methodology and the results were published in the thesis - Barnes, L.
“The self-perceived effects of massage in palliative care patients.” 

Paul has run clinical trials into the efficacy of various natural and complementary
medicines, including a trail on the use of acupuncture in the treatment of Frozen
Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis). This interest in testing the clinical benefits of
complementary medicine has led to his current studying for a PhD. This project is looking
at constructing and trialling a clinical trial methodology based on real practice (or
“whole practice”), and is entitled “The effects of osteopathic medicine intervention on
chronic low back pain using a whole practice model”. 

Paul has broader research interests in clinical education and the use of Problem and
Scenario Based Learning, both of which were prominent in the scholarly projects during
his Graduate Certificate of Higher Education and utilised in the curriculum development
for the osteopathic medicine programme at SCU. During his professional life, he has held
many positions within the Australian Osteopathic Association, including being Chair of
the Research Council. 

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