Standard of Practice: Patient-Centred Care

Patient Outcome

The patient is meaningfully engaged in decision-making for their Massage Therapy care that centres the patient’s unique needs, views, preferences, concerns and health goals.

Registered Massage Therapist Outcome

The Registered Massage Therapist/Massage Therapist (RMT/MT) provides Massage Therapy that is focused on the best interests and unique needs, views, preferences and concerns of each individual patient ensuring the patient is actively involved in decision-making regarding their care.

Requirements

The RMT/MT must:

1. Obtain the patient’s informed consent prior to conducting an assessment, providing treatment or modifying a treatment plan. (see also the Standard of Practice: Prevention of and Zero Tolerance for Sexual Abuse and, Standard of Practice: Consent). Promote the patient’s involvement in their own health goals by considering patient input and supporting their informed decision-making in all aspects of patient care.
2. Assess the patient, including obtaining personal health information, to determine the patient’s condition and if Massage Therapy is indicated, using the RMT’s/MT’s knowledge, skills and professional judgement (see also the Standard of Practice: Collecting Health Information from Patients).
3. Develop a treatment plan for each patient based on the assessment and patient’s goals for treatment, monitor the patient’s response and modify treatment accordingly.
4. Integrate an evidence-informed approach to care including using professional knowledge, experience and practice evaluation, external research, patient perspective and practice context.
5. Only treat, or attempt to treat, conditions within the RMT’s/MT’s competence and the Scope of Practice of Massage Therapy.
6. Ensure the patient understands when and in what circumstances they are providing care within the Scope of Practice of Massage Therapy, and when the registrant is providing care within the scope of another health profession in which they are regulated, if the RMT/MT has dual registration.
7. When appropriate and with the patient’s consent, refer the patient to another RMT/MT, healthcare professional or person whose expertise can best address the patient’s needs.
8. Provide fair and equitable access and consistent quality of care to all patients.
9. Treat all patients with respect and dignity.
10. Ensure the patient’s continuing comfort and safety during the treatment, addressing any intended and unintended effects and outcomes as required.
11. Work with the patient and others, as required, to plan and implement discharge from care.
12. Only discontinue providing care that is needed to a patient if the discharge process has been documented in the patient’s file and:
    1. the patient requests discontinuation; or
    2. alternative services are arranged, or the patient is given reasonable opportunity to arrange alternative services; or
    3. the patient is unable or unwilling to provide payment; or
    4. the patient is abusive toward the RMT/MT or poses a real or perceived threat, and the RMT/MT has referred the patient to CMTO’s Public Register.
13. Never abuse a patient; including, verbal, physical, psychological, emotional, sexual or financial abuse.
14. Never have a sexual relationship with a patient. This is sexual abuse. An RMT/MT may not enter into a sexual relationship with a patient for a period of one year after the patient ceased to be a Massage Therapy patient. (see also the Standard of Practice: Prevention of and Zero Tolerance for Sexual Abuse).
15. At the patient’s request, securely transfer copies of the patient’s health record to another RMT/MT or other healthcare professional.
16. Upon resignation, or closure of a clinic, refer the patient to another RMT/MT, healthcare professional or person whose expertise can best address the patient’s needs; and take necessary actions to ensure patient health records are properly retained, transferred and disposed of.

Bolded terms are found in the Glossary.