Standard of Practice: Collaboration and Professional Relationships

Patient Outcome

The patient understands that the Registered Massage Therapist/Massage Therapist (RMT/MT) will work with others as required to provide the best care to meet the needs of the patient.

Registered Massage Therapist Outcome

The RMT/MT practises in collaboration with patients, other healthcare professionals and others involved in the patient’s care to provide safe, effective and ethical care.

Requirements

The RMT/MT must:

1. Take reasonable steps to understand what other care the patient is receiving and ensure the Massage Therapy treatment plan complements the care provided by others within the patient’s circle of care.
2. Document significant collaboration and professional relationships in a patient’s health record relevant to the proposed treatment plan, including:
   1. reports received for examinations, tests, consultations or treatments; and
   2. the details of every referral made.
3. Allow others within the patient’s circle of care to access the patient’s health record where such access is reasonably necessary for the provision of healthcare, unless the patient has expressly instructed the RMT/MT not to provide such access.
4. Work to resolve any problems or conflicts that may arise between the RMT/MT and those involved in the patient’s care that could interfere with the delivery of safe, effective and ethical care. Document these concerns and the steps taken to resolve them.
5. Refer the patient to another RMT/MT, healthcare professional or person whose expertise can best address the patient’s needs when appropriate and with the patient’s consent. (See also the Standard of Practice: Privacy and Confidentiality and the Standard of Practice: Consent).

Bolded terms are found in the Glossary.