WHY POLICIES & PRACTICES?
QUALITY OF EVIDENCE
(Part of Assignment 3)
Massage practice is predominately based on self-reporting of standards and minimum compliance to safety and best practices standards. Historically massage therapy, as a healthcare practice has developed from little or no regulation. Massage Therapists just fifty years ago began an association to guide the then fledgling profession. The profession developed education programs and supported by government standards produced the formal national competency standards through the Health Training Package (Wardle et al, 2015). However, they still remained self-governed and self-reported. In late 1990’s standards improved as therapist strove to be practitioners, recognised by Private Health Care which would give their clients a rebate for their services. The Private Health Care established a standard for practitioner recognition for the profession (Wardle et al, 2015).
In 2012, the Australian Government Department of Health commissioned a systematic review of systematic reviews (SRs) on Complementary and Alternative Medicine therapies that were rebated by the Private Health Rebate. The commission examined reviews supported by ‘credible evidence that demonstrates their clinical efficacy, cost-effectiveness and safety and quality in scope’ (Wardle, 2016, p.3). The commission examined 99 SRs describing 46 clinical conditions. Massage therapy was found to be effective for conditions including lower back pain and neck pain. The Massage and Myotherapy Association (MMA) realised that even though they had a comprehensive Code of Ethics, Standards and National Code of Conduct that met all the Australian National Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Practitioners ( Gallagher, 2019) and government legislations that generally this was considered only minimum standards of conduct and practice (COAG Health Council, 2017), and quality evidence was required to confirm members willingness to comply in their practices.
Defining the term “quality evidence” as meaning evidence of a high quality, the MMA set out to create method of certification that would objectively assess practitioner’s compliance with the various standards (M&MA, 2018). The existing practice was predicated on a voluntary self-assessment by practitioners that they were complying with the code. Research in various therapeutic professions has found that self-assessment is often affected by an unconscious bias that may lead to unreliable self-reporting (Warfish, et al., 2012; Karpen, 2018). A committee was established to develop the process which resulted in 2019, The Certification of massage and myotherapy practitioners.
Consistent and reliable National Best Practices Standard (BPS) and Quality Assurance model audited by Certex International to meet the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand standard(jas-anz.com.au) has ensured the development of our professionalism. Certification with the MMA Standards involves three stages:
1. Application and criminal record check
2. Completion of the Self-Assessment workbook.
3. Inspection of the clinic and confirming of all the information provided in the self-assessment workbook by a trained Certified Site Support Assessor.
The MMA standard is informed by the best available evidence, the context in which care is delivered, the individual patient, and the professional judgement and expertise of the health professional. As health professionals, massage also play new role in quality improvement, practice-based research and the development, implementation and evaluation of relevant policies and procedures.
MT currently remain eligible for coverage under private health insurance. It is notable that massage therapists are incentivized to seek association membership and Certification because of career development, building business and recognition (Gallagher, 2019). On reflection my motivation has been more to do with my professional excellence rather than just to comply to industry standards. The Davis Health Centre has maintained many of the standards set in the certification for several decades.
MY POLICIES & PRACTICES
CODE OF PRACTICE
The Association of Massage Therapists and Massage and Myotherapy wish to establish massage therapy as a recognised professional healthcare therapy in Australia. I belong to both associations because their values reflect best practice, connection with the community, innovation, governance and a focus on clients. Standards of practice include caring for the health and wellbeing of clients, respecting the privacy of clients and maintaining professional boundaries, and protecting privacy.
Of course, other than the legal and ethical elements of the role, there are also responsibilities which need to be adhered to. This can be referred to as my ‘personal code of ethics’ as usually. This can encompass the duty of client care, the duty to the profession and ensuring my advertising is professional at all times.
SAFETY & WORK ENVIRONMENT
I maintain current certificates in first aid, insurance, working-with-children check and criminal record checks. These are necessary for membership of my professional associations and to maintain my Private Health Provider status. The Certification now acknowledges my business and myself provide a safe environment for both clients, staff and anyone who enters my business.
Consistent and reliable National Best Practices Standard (BPS) and Quality Assurance model audited by Certex International to meet the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand standard(jas-anz.com.au) has ensured the development of our professionalism. Certification with the MMA Standards involves three stages:
1. Application and criminal record check
2. Completion of the Self-Assessment workbook.
3. Inspection of your clinic and confirming of all the information provided in the self-assessment workbook by a trained Certified Site Support Assessor.
COVID 19 SAFETY PLAN
In the clinic, we will maintain 4m square per person & 1.5m social distancing.
In line with current requirements, we have included all the necessary cleaning and infection controls for the prevention of Covid-19 spread. I wear a mask and PPE when I am working now. I also air the room after each client and thoroughly clean all surfaces. Every item used for each client is either washed in hot water or cleaned with alcohol based cleaner. Hand washing and sanitiser gel is used by every person in the clinic and the client’s temperature is taken before they enter the premises. I have completed NSW Workplace Safety COVID 19 Plan.
DAVIS HEALTH CLINIC FORMS & POLICIES
The Clinic forms and Policies ensure that I understand and meet my professional duty of care. Part of this risk management in a business is to develop policies to prevent or minimize uncertain events that could impact its day-to day operations, protect staff members, clients and assets of the business. The Policies also provide a benchmark against which complaints can be assessed and inform criminal or civil investigations. What this essentially means is that massage therapists have something to be held against if things go awry and the power is squarely in the hands of the public when it comes to determining the quality of care.
