Standard of Practice: Communication

Patient Outcome

The patient receives the information needed to make an informed decision about their care and is given the opportunity to ask questions of their Registered Massage Therapist/Massage Therapist (RMT/MT).

Registered Massage Therapist Outcome

The RMT/MT clearly provides the patient with the information required to make informed decisions about their care and communicates in a professional manner.

Requirements

The RMT/MT must:

1. Engage the patient in dialogue to ensure they are given the opportunity to discuss their goals, raise concerns, ask questions, participate in decision-making and suggest changes to treatment (see also the Standard of Practice Collecting Personal Health Information from Patients and Standard of Practice Consent).
2. Use effective communication including plain language and active listening to accurately transmit information about Massage Therapy whenever possible.
3. Adapt communication practices according to the patient’s understanding, needs and preferences.
4. Allow a third party chosen by the patient to be present to assist with communication when requested.
5. Ensure that all forms of communication (spoken; written, including paper and electronic; and social media) are respectful, ethical and professional, and that patient privacy and confidentiality is always maintained.
6. When using social media platforms, RMTs/MTs must:
   1. Carefully consider whether professional boundaries will be blurred if “friending” or “following” a patient on social media.
   2. Respond to social media messages in a professional and courteous manner, assuming it may become public.
   3. Maintain privacy and confidentiality and never post or reveal any patient information (see also the Standard of Practice: Privacy and Confidentiality).

Bolded terms are found in the Glossary.