Pp1 - 2a Professional Role and Commitment

Professional

Being a Professional; how many times do we use this term without giving it a second thought? Or take it for granted that someone is a professional? - Does everyone mean the same thing when we all use this word? - What groups of people come to our minds right away?....doctors, engineers, teachers, musicians - What does a successful business 'professional' mean to you...well dressed, gets paid a very high salary, and has special social status.... - Not all workers are professionals, and not all jobs are professions

MASSAGE THERAPISTS AS REGULATED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Federally - All Canadian citizens are protected by and must uphold The Charter of Rights & Freedoms (part of our Constitution) and the Criminal Code of Canada. -These documents are important to the provinces and territories in that they must be followed when provincial/territorial legislation and laws are being created. Provincially -Provincial governments are responsible for governing health care. -Each province has a Minister of Health who must oversee the legislation of all regulated health professions in their province.

Standards for Education and Training:

- CMTO is responsible for setting admission standards into massage therapy training institutions - CMTO sets attitude, knowledge and skills standards to be acquired during a recognized MT training program - Individuals who wish to become RMTs must possess at least a high school education and be trained in a college that meets the regulatory college's competency requirements - CMTO sets standard for on-going practitioner competence and establishes the MT Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics documents

CMTO establishes:

- Code of Ethics, 2006 of the CMTO - Standards of Practice, 2006 of the CMTO - Policies and Position Statements of the CMTO - Bylaws of the CMTO

Social Contract

- Contract is based on mutual trust and respect - one way our profession maintains social trust is to ensure that all RMTs are competent in their massage therapy practices This relationship is based on mutual respect & trust. - MECHANISMS OF CMTO TO ENSURE COMPETENCE AND DEMONSTRATE ACCOUNTABILITY TO SOCIETY: > Many accountability mechanisms in place by the profession: 1. Standards for education and training 2. On-going research to support massage as an evidence-based practice 3. Quality Assurance Program 4. Mediation and Discipline of members

Provincial

- Regulated Heathcare Professionals Act, 1991 (RHPA) • an umbrella Law, which applies equally to regulated health professions • protects patient's right to safe, effective and ethical healthcare • holds regulated health professionals accountable by their College for their conduct and practice when providing healthcare - Massage Therapy Act, 1991 (MTA) • set of governing laws, enforced by the CMTO • one function is to provide RMT's with Title Protection of the term "Massage Therapist" - Health Care Consent Act, 1996 (HCCA) - Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA)

Mediation and Discipline of Members

- There are mechanisms in place to recognize complaints of RMTs who have breached the massage therapy's Standard of Practice and/or Code of Ethics - This is why we have a regulatory body, the CMTO; that deals with disciplining members via the Complaints Committee and the Discipline Committee - Complaints Committee: investigate the complaint; either dismiss, resolve, or refer it to the Discipline Committee: conducts a hearing - Some complaints are resolved internally through arbitration or mediation (don't need to proceed to the Discipline Committee) - Arbitration: an appointed 3rd party Arbitrator settles the dispute. Arbitrator hears both sides of the issue and makes a decision to resolve it - Mediation: a Mediator intervenes between the parties in a dispute, in order to produce reconciliation or an agreement; Mediator works with each group to come to an agreement collectively

Profession

- a form of employment that require complete mastery of an uncommonly complex knowledge base - Professionals have specialized attitudes, knowledge and skills that require a minimum postgraduate level of training and education - Professionals have designations/credentials to prove they have achieved the levels of attitudes, knowledge and skills necessary to perform all tasks and skills of their profession - May include meeting any registration requirements - Designations/Credentials reinforce to society that the professional is competent to provide that service - Government restrictions on how professionals practice are usually limited and usually do consult/involve the professional ****Health Care Professionals are first and foremost committed to directly benefiting the people they serve**** People in Jobs/Occupations are committed primarily to making a profit, and any benefit to clients may be a secondary purpose - Acting "unprofessionally" - the individual places their own interests above those of the client; in Health Care: e.g. extra billings, adding unnecessary procedures, conflicts of interest between client and professional

Social Contract

- when healthcare professionals (hcp's) enter an agreement with society. They agree to put the well-being and best interests of their clients first -In exchange, Society agrees to give autonomy to the health profession so that it may govern itself and afford regulated health care professionals with privilege and status - Necessary because people are VULNERABLE ; clients may be in pain, discomfort, young or elderly, speak another language making communication difficult, living with a mental/physical disability or psychological/social limitations - Clients are not the experts in massage therapy; they do not possess the knowledge, attitudes or skills that we do to treat themselves - Also vulnerable when on the table with limited amount of clothing on: RMTs can touch parts of their bodies; this enhances their mind-body-heart-soul connection - This relates to the Code of Ethics, under 'Responsible Caring': our profession must govern itself and be accountable to society - CMTO, CMTBC, CMTNL were established to help fulfill our profession's commitment to self-govern the massage therapists of Ontario, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador as regulated hp's

Federal

-Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982 (Part of the Constitution Act) -Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, 2000 (PIPEDA)

On-going Research:

-Critical to developing knowledge of MT - Enables RMTs to improve their skills, not just maintain them - Provides RMTs with results they can use to make better informed decisions and deliver enhanced treatments to clients

Quality Assurance Program:

-Ensures that RMTs maintain their competence to practice by keeping up-to- date of new developments and maintaining the CMTO's requirements for continuing education credits/units (CEUs) - Consists of periodic, random assessments by a Peer Assessor - Peer Assessor identifies strengths/weaknesses of RMT by a review of their files, the clinic, answering critical thinking questions - Monitors RMTs participation in professional development courses, workshops and seminars

Regulates Health Professionals

In Ontario, 25 health professions are regulated by 23 regulatory bodies (Colleges) who develop standards and regulate the professions. List of Regulated Health Professionals: Acupuncturist Naturopathic Medicine Audiologist Occupational Therapist Chiropodist Optician Chiropractor Optometrist Dental Hygienist/Technician Pharmacist Dentist Physician Denturist Physiotherapist Dietitian Psychologist Kinesiologist Registered Nurse &Registered Practical Nurse Massage Therapist Respiratory Therapist Medical Laboratory Technologist Speech-Language Pathologist Medical Radiation Technologist Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor Midwife

Professional Associations

Massage therapists can choose to join a professional association in their province. For example, the province of Ontario's therapists may choose to become a member of the REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPISTS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO (RMTAO). This professional association exists to: 1. Advance the massage therapy profession in Ontario. 2. Main role: to represent its members (RMT's) to the government to voice opinions and serve and protect the interests of its members. Not mandatory to join and become a member, but is recommended considering the benefits: 1. Public can find an RMT easily. 2. Provides programs and services for RMTs. 3. Flex-membership - to meet the unique needs of each RMT in Ontario 4. Basic Annual Membership: $88.25 plus HST, effective Oct. 1st - Sept 30th 5. Instant download of PLI Certificate of coverage for proof to CMTO 6. Students Can Join for FREE!! - go to RMTAO.com and follow the links for registration

CMTO

The CMTO exists to: 1. Protect the public interests - by ensuring the competency and quality of care provided by massage therapists. 2. Regulate the profession of Massage Therapy - guides the profession

CMTO

The CMTO exists to: 1. Protect the public interests - by ensuring the competency and quality of care provided by massage therapists. 2. Regulate the profession of Massage Therapy - guides the profession (see list below)

CMTO's Duties

The CMTO's duties include: 1. Policies and guidelines for the profession - regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) 2. Uphold the RHPA, MTA, HCCA, & PHIPA - ensure all registered therapists do the same 3. Certification examinations 4. Information on becoming a Massage Therapist 5. Public Register of all Massage Therapists - used to confirm/report misrepresentation 6. Quality Assurance Program - outlines continuing education/professional development 7. Public Education - printed materials, public speaking, media relations 8. Media Relations - responds to inquiries, publishes articles, corrects misinformation 9. Professional Education - on legislative matters and professional obligations 10. Publications - keeps the public and members current 11. Complaints and Discipline Matters - investigations and disciplinary hearings Only CMTO members can use the titles: Massage Therapist, Registered Massage Therapist, or use the designation of MT or RMT