The scope of practice of the osteopathic profession in Italy is underreported. The first part of the present study investigated the Italian osteopaths' profile, focusing on the socio-demographic information and geographical distribution together with the main characteristics of their education. The OPERA-IT study highlighted that the majority of respondents declared to work as sole practitioners (58.4%), while the remaining declared to work as part of a team. Since teamwork and networking are recognized as fundamental aspects of healthcare, the present study aims to compare the osteopathic practice, diagnostic and treatment modalities of osteopaths who work as a sole practitioner and osteopaths who work as part of a team to highlight possible differences. Moreover, patients' characteristics will be presented. The OPERA-IT study population was chosen to provide a representative sample. A web campaign was set up to inform the Italian osteopaths before the beginning of the study. The OPERA IT study used a previously tested questionnaire. The questionnaire was translated into Italian following the World Health Organization recommendation. The questionnaire was composed of 57 items grouped in five sections, namely: socio-demographics, osteopathic education and training, working profile, organization, and management of the clinical practice and patient profile. The survey was delivered online through a dedicated platform. The survey was completed by 4,816 individuals. Osteopaths who work as sole practitioners represented the majority of the sample (n = 2814; 58.4%). Osteopaths who work as part of a team declared to collaborate mostly with physiotherapists (n = 1121; 23.3%), physicians with speciality (n = 1040; 21.6%), and other osteopaths (n = 943; 19.6%). The two groups showed heterogeneous characteristics. Significative differences were observed in all the factors, namely: geographical distribution, age, gender, training, working contract and working place, daily consultations and time for each consultation, fees, and the average waiting period to book an appointment. The principal component analysis supported a ten-component model and explained 80.5% of the total variance. The analysis showed that osteopaths working as sole practitioners have an increased probability (OR = 0.91; CI 95%: 0.88–0.94; p<0.01) of using systemic diagnostic and treatment techniques and have distinct clinical features with higher probability (OR = 0.92; 0.88–0.96; p<0.01) of spending less time with patients, being paid less but treating a higher number of patients per week. The most represented patients’ age groups were 41–64 years old (n = 4452; 92.4%) and 21–40 years old (n = 4291; 89.1%). Similarly, the most reported new patients’ age groups were 41–64 years old (n = 4221; 87.7%) and 21–40 years old (n = 3364; 69.9%). The most common presenting complaints were back pain, neck pain, cervical radiculopathy, sciatica, shoulder pain, and headaches. Osteopathic practice in Italy seems to be characterised by interprofessional collaboration, mostly with physiotherapists. Our results highlighted two different profiles in terms of sociodemographic characteristics and work modalities between osteopaths who work as sole practitioners and those who work as part of a team. Although according to the respondents, people of all ages consult Italian osteopaths, the majority of patients are adults. Most of them have been referred to osteopathy by other patients or acquaintances. Patients seek osteopathic care mostly for musculoskeletal related complaints.

意大利整骨疗法专业的执业范围并未得到充分报道。本研究的第一部分调查了意大利整骨医生的概况，重点关注社会人口信息和地理分布以及他们教育的主要特征。OPERA-IT 研究强调，大多数受访者声称自己是个体从业者 (58.4%)，而其余的受访者则声称自己是团队成员。由于团队合作和网络被认为是医疗保健的基本方面，本研究旨在比较单独执业的整骨医生和团队工作的整骨医生的整骨实践、诊断和治疗方式，以突出可能的差异。此外，还将呈现患者的特征。选择 OPERA-IT 研究人群来提供代表性样本。在研究开始之前，意大利整骨医生发起了一场网络活动，向他们通报情况。OPERA IT 研究使用了之前测试过的问卷。根据世界卫生组织的建议，该调查问卷被翻译成意大利语。调查问卷由 57 个项目组成，分为五个部分，即：社会人口统计、整骨疗法教育和培训、工作概况、临床实践的组织和管理以及患者概况。该调查通过专用平台在线进行。该调查由 4,816 人完成。个体整骨医生占样本的大多数（n = 2814；58.4%）。作为团队成员工作的整骨医生声称主要与物理治疗师（n = 1121；23.3%）、专科医师（n = 1040；21.6%）和其他整骨医生（n = 943；19.6%）合作。这两个群体表现出异质性特征。所有因素均存在显着差异，即：地域分布、年龄、性别、培训、工作合同和工作地点、每日咨询和每次咨询的时间、费用以及平均预约等待时间。主成分分析支持十成分模型并解释了总方差的 80.5%。分析表明，作为单独执业医师的整骨医生使用系统诊断和治疗技术的概率增加（OR = 0.91；CI 95%：0.88-0.94；p<0.01），并且具有更高概率的明显临床特征（OR = 0.92；CI 95%：0.88-0.94；p<0.01）。 0.88–0.96；p<0.01）与患者相处的时间更少，报酬更少，但每周治疗的患者数量更多。最具代表性的患者年龄组为 41-64 岁（n = 4452；92.4%）和 21-40 岁（n = 4291；89.1%）。同样，报告最多的新患者年龄组为 41-64 岁（n = 4221；87.7%）和 21-40 岁（n = 3364；69.9%）。最常见的主诉是背痛、颈部疼痛、颈神经根病、坐骨神经痛、肩痛和头痛。意大利整骨疗法的特点似乎是跨专业合作，主要是与物理治疗师的合作。我们的结果强调了作为单独执业者和作为团队成员工作的整骨师之间在社会人口特征和工作方式方面的两种不同概况。尽管根据受访者的说法，各个年龄段的人都会向意大利整骨医生咨询，但大多数患者是成年人。他们中的大多数人是由其他患者或熟人转介到整骨疗法的。患者寻求整骨治疗主要是因为肌肉骨骼相关的不适。