severe injury that might require surgery so he would probably be visiting the office for a long duration. The two felt that it was permissible to discuss this client’s condition because there was no one else in the office to hear them. Analysis Regardless of whether or not there was anyone in the office, the therapist acted unethically and breached the confidentiality rights of the client in this case. All information related to the client’s medical file, including identifying information, is subject to the HIPAA Privacy rules and the therapist’s professional standards and code of ethics. The therapist is bound to safeguard all information from the medical record to preserve the patient’s privacy from exposure to anyone even office staff. The receptionist had no need or right to Reporting misconduct Many states require a “duty to report” by their licensees. If therapists believe they have first-hand knowledge of another practitioner acting unethically or illegally, they have a responsibility to report it. They should contact their state board, and the certifying organization including NCBTMB, AMTA, or ABMP. Sanctions for unethical behavior The following information is from the NCBTMB website and listed on the reference page (NCBMTB, 2016c): DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS Certificant violations of ethics & standards NCBTMB takes its role in serving the public’s trust very seriously. In accordance with the rules and procedures regarding ethical and professional disciplinary complaints, NCBTMB publishes sanctions imposed on certificants found to be in violation of the Code of Ethics and/or Standards of Practice. Revocation A Certificant’s certification has been revoked and that person is no longer certified. A revocation may be: 1. Permanent, meaning that the person may not sit for a certification exam in the future. 2. Non-permanent, meaning that the person may sit for a certification exam again at some designated time in the future. The former Certificant may not: 1. Advertise using their credential or any NCBTMB logo 2. Use their certificate in any other way to promote their practice, or 3. In any way hold themselves out to be certified by NCBTMB. Suspension A Certificant’s certification has been suspended for a definite period of time and may be subject to meeting certain requirements before the suspension is lifted. During the suspension period, the Certificant may not: 1. Advertise using their credential or any NCBTMB logo. 2. Use their certificate in any other way to promote their practice. Expanding use of massage and bodywork in healthcare The profession of massage and bodywork continues to expand into virtually all health care fields and practitioners are increasingly included as vital members of integrated healthcare teams for all ages. The therapeutic benefits of massage continue to be researched and studied. Recent research has been conducted on the effectiveness of massage for the following conditions: ● Oncology-related fatigue, pain and anxiety. ● Osteoarthritis of the knee. ● Reducing post-operative pain. ● Boosting the body’s immune system functioning. ● Decreasing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. ● Lowering blood pressure. ● Benefits for Newborn and Infant care. ● Reducing migraine headache frequency.
know anything about the client’s condition because she was not treating him or consulting on the case as a treating professional. Also her role as receptionist did not include the transmission of information to other healthcare professionals or insurance companies as that role is assigned to another staff member. Her role did not provide her with the right to access any information contained in the medical record. In this case, the client’s right to privacy and confidentiality concerning medical information was breach because only the therapist had the right to know that information. He had the ethical obligation to protect it from all others not directly involved in his care or financial/insurance reimbursement. Review Standard I on Professionalism and Standard III: Confidentiality. 3. In any way hold themselves out to be certified by NCBTMB. Emergency suspension A Certificant’s certification has been suspended due to the emergency suspension or restriction of their state license, certification or registration by a federal, state or local government or agency authority. Certificant’s certification will remain on Emergency Suspension until NCBTMB reviews all information available and a final determination is made. During the suspension period, the Certificant may not: 1. Advertise using their credential or any NCBTMB logo. 2. Use their certificate in any other way to promote their practice. 3. In any way hold themselves out to be certified by NCBTMB. Indefinite suspension A Certificant’s certification has been suspended for an indefinite period of time due to their failure to reply to a complaint. Certificant is required to properly respond and comply with the NCBTMB peer review process prior to the Committee making a final determination. NCBTMB reserves the right to take additional action against the Certificant if additional information related to the complaint becomes available. During the suspension period, the Certificant may not: 1. Advertise using their credential or any NCBTMB logo. 2. Use their certificate in any other way to promote their practice. 3. In any way hold themselves out to be certified by NCBTMB. Probation A Certificant has been placed on probation for a definite period of time and may be subject to meeting certain requirements before the probation is lifted. During the probationary period, the Certificant may continue to: 1. Advertise using their credential or any NCBTMB logo. 2. Use their certificate in any other way to promote their practice. 3. In any way hold themselves out to be certified by NCBTMB. ● HIV/AIDS complications. ● Mental Health & Wellness. ● Improved Mood + Sleep. ● Reducing Seasonal Affective Disorder. ● Massage Therapy + Aging. ● Cardiovascular Health & Massage. ● Massage for Burn Scars. ● Behavior of children with autism or autism spectrum disorder. ● Immune function in women with breast cancer. ● Anxiety and pain in patients following heart surgery. ● Quality of life and glucose levels in people with diabetes. ● Lung function in children with asthma (AMTA, 2016g). ● Easing alcohol withdrawal symptoms. ● Fibromyalgia.
Page 51
Book Code: MLA1224
EliteLearning.com/Massage-Therapists
Powered by FlippingBook