|
What's Happening at the RMTAO
In the interest of public health and to maintain continuous operations, the RMTAO will be continuing to operate remotely until further notice. We will be providing regular updates to our members, and will be available to answer any questions or concerns you may have. The best way to reach a member of the RMTAO staff is to email info@rmtao.com.
Gradually Restarting Massage Therapy Treatments
As a result of updates to the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health’s Directive #2 for Regulated Health Professionals RMTs are able to gradually restart massage therapy services.
This does not mean that you are required to return to work immediately. The CMTO has released guidance you will have to adhere to, in addition to Ministry of Health guidance, in order to return to practice. Even if you can meet all these requirements you are not required to return to practice if you do not feel it is safe to do so.
What you Need to Know Before a Return to Work
- You should return to practice gradually, prioritizing those patients with essential care needs, e.g. those whose health and function would decline greatly if treatment was not provided. This does not mean you can only treat patients with essential care needs, but rather you should prioritize seeing these patients before any other patients.
- You should only provide massage therapy treatment if you assess that the expected benefit of the treatment outweighs the risk to the patient and the RMT.
- As long as you follow all CMTO and Ministry of Health requirements, your Professional Liability Insurance will continue to cover you as it did before the pandemic.
- Should a patient seek legal action against you as a result of contracting COVID-19, it's important to note that it would be extremely difficult to prove that anyone contracted COVID-19 as a result of visiting your clinic. That being said, you existing policy will provide a legal response in this case.
- Familiarize yourself with the CMTO's COVID-19 Pandemic – Practice Guidance for Massage Therapists
- Ensure you can comply with all Ministry of Health requirements - the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart , Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health’s Directive #2 for Regulated Health Professionals and the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 webpage
Things to Do Before Returning to Practice
There is a lot that RMTs will need to do before they are able to return to work safely and following all applicable guidelines.
What you Need to Do Before Returning to Work
- The RMTAO has created a checklist you can follow to ensure you have done everything you need to do before a return to practice.
- You are required to add additional processes to your record keeping. The RMTAO has created templates for a Visitor Log and a Sample Infection Prevention and Control Log
- Complete training on safely using and disposing of PPE, at minimum completing the resources offered by Public Health Ontario’s “Infection Prevention and Control Fundamentals”.
- You will be required to purchase adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). The RMTAO is working with several suppliers to help our members obtain this necessary equipment, but in the meantime Ontario has recently launched the Workplace Supplier PPE Directory to provide an up-to-date list of Ontario companies and business associations that are prepared to supply PPE.
If you're Not Ready for a Return to Work
Most RMTs will not yet be ready to fulfill all of the requirements to return to work. Many other RMTs will choose not to return to work for a variety of reasons. Here are some considerations if you're not ready to return to work.
- If you are not able to yet meet the CMTO requirements for a return to work, you will be able to still collect the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) until you can do so. You also still qualify for the CERB if you make $1000 a month or less.
- The Canadian Massage Therapist Alliance, which the RMTAO is a part of, has written to the federal government advocating for an extension of the CERB beyond the original 16 weeks for those who need it.
- The RMTAO will be writing to the Federal government advocating for continued access to CERB for those who are at a higher risk of COVID-19 or who have people in their household at higher risk for COVID-19
If you have any questions or concerns about a potential return to work, we recommend you contact the CMTO practice specialist at practicespecialist@cmto.com. You can also contact the RMTAO at info@rmtao.com.
Professional Liability Insurance
Now that RMTs can return to work, there are many questions coming up about how professional liability insurance will work in this new situation.
If you have your insurance through Trisura, as long as you follow all CMTO and Ministry of Health Guidelines, your Professional Liability Insurance and Commercial General Liability Insurance will continue to cover you as it always did.
If a patient is seeking litigation against you claiming they have obtained COVID from you or your clinic, your policy will provide a legal response. It would definitely be very difficult to prove that they have obtained COVID specifically from you/your operations, because as you know, the virus take weeks to show and can be dormant so it is hard to pinpoint the origin of contact.
There is no definite actions or adherence to guidelines that would protect you from a suit, however maintaining/following and recording your actions and that you are adhering to all guidelines and being 100% proactive will always be beneficial as part of any response and investigation of a claim.
If you have any questions or concerns about your insurance policy, we recommend you contact Claire Cosme at BFL Canada at ccosme@bflcanada.ca
We Heard You!
The RMTAO’s “Barriers to Reopening” survey was circulated between May 12 and May 21. We were seeking input from Ontario RMTs, and particularly RMTAO members, regarding their biggest concerns about returning to work. We received 2720 survey responses. The RMTAO would like to thank all respondents for their valuable input!
The data from the survey is still being analyzed, but the preliminary analysis showed that many of you share the same concerns about returning to work. RMTs are concerned about the health risk that COVID-19 poses to themselves and their patients. While many are eager to get back to work, they are ready and willing to do all they can to mitigate the risks involved. The most common area of concern was access to PPE. Many of you want to know which suppliers can be trusted to provide quality products, and how to access the most affordable PPE possible. RMTAO staff are working to compile a shortlist of reliable PPE suppliers, and to secure discounts for our members where possible.
It is clear that RMTs care deeply about the health of their patients and colleagues, and you want the guidelines for a return to practice to be as clear as possible. You would like to see detailed instructions for how to adapt your practice to the “new normal”, including samples and templates that you can put to use right away. The RMTAO released our first set of templates yesterday, and we will continue to provide you with new resources as the need arises. If you have any questions about the return to practice guidelines, you can always contact us directly at info@rmtao.com.
While many of you are eager to start returning to practice, some of you expressed that you do not feel safe to return just yet. We hear you too, and we will continue to advocate for those members who have made the difficult decision to wait a bit longer to return. You can expect to see further advocacy efforts meant to ensure that RMTs who cannot return yet for family, health, or personal reasons can continue to access financial support. Whenever or not you are ready to return, the RMTAO will be there to help.
Finally, we appreciated how many of you let us know what you have been doing while you were not able to practice massage therapy. Exercising, spending time with your children, extra professional development, keeping in touch with patients, cooking, and gardening were the most popular responses.
Member Spotlight
The RMTAO is pleased to announce our May member spotlight,  Patrick Belanger!
Patrick was born and raised in Timmins, Ontario. He graduated high school in 2000 and took one year to work and save money to go to college. He first studied electronic engineering at RCC College of Technology. From there, he started working in Timmins for Spectrum Communication as a communication technician. After a little over 3 years, he changed jobs and worked as a laborer/grader for a local sawmill. Having always wanted to help people, he decided to go back to school and study massage therapy. He graduated from Georgian College with honors and became a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) in June 2012. He is an enthusiastic RMTAO member, and volunteered to help advocate to the government at the RMTAO Queen's Park Day in 2018.
Why did you choose to become a Registered Massage Therapist?
Patrick: I was looking at starting a second career and the profession of massage therapy was very appealing to me. The idea of helping people and also being independent, in other words owning my own business, is what lead me to study massage therapy as a second career.
What do you like best about your job?
Patrick: The satisfaction I feel when I am able to help someone with one of their health care goals is very rewarding. Also, I appreciate that there is no ”rat race” at work.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Patrick: I enjoy carpentry and wood working. For example, I recently finished building a house with my father and father in-law.
What advice would you give new Registered Massage Therapists?
Patrick: Focus on your natural skills and abilities and what you enjoy about massage therapy. Build your practice on that. Don’t worry about what you ”don’t” have to offer and concentrate on what you can, and what most others can't.
Why did you choose to join the RMTAO?
Patrick: I truly believe it really isn't a choice, it is important to support your association. The cost is so minimal that there isn't even a reason not to, and in return there are so many benefits. Thank you RMTAO for being the advocates to the profession!
Adventures from Karen's Clinic Home
Member Question of the Week
|
I know we are allowed to return to work but I'm not ready. Do I have to return to work?
CMTO is not expecting RMTs to return to practice if they do not feel it is appropriate or safe to do so.
If you are still working to fulfill all of the new requirements for a safe return to work, you can still collect the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), and you can continue to college the CERB making $1000 per month or less.
The RMTAO will be writing to the Federal government advocating for continued access to CERB for those who are at a higher risk of COVID-19 or who have people in their household at higher risk for COVID-19
The RMTAO has created a return to work checklist to help you ensure you've done everything you need to do to prepare. We've also created a template Visitor Log and a Sample Infection Prevention and Control Log. We hope this will help those who wish to return to work to prepare.
Do you have a question? Email info@rmtao.com |
Business Tip of the Week
|
Make Your Virtual Meetings More Interactive
While you may not all be in the same room, your virtual meeting can still be engaging and interactive. One big advantage is that a virtual setting can lower the bar for participation, so you have an opportunity to glean thoughts and insights from people who ordinarily might not speak up in person. You might use a polling function as a warm-up for discussion and an early opportunity to engage people. You can also encourage attendees to use the chat function, so they can comment in real time. Invite them to participate in the discussion, rather than just talking at them. For example, you might say: “Anita just wrote a great point — and it seems Juan had a similar thought. Do either of you want to go into a bit more detail?” If your chosen platform offers virtual break-out rooms, use them liberally. You might divide people into smaller groups to discuss ideas amongst themselves. You can join these rooms yourself if you wish, the same way you’d roam around the room during a live meeting. Finally, when you’re ready, you can bring everyone back to the larger group with a click of the mouse. You have the tools to recreate the vibrancy of an in-person meeting, so take advantage of them virtually.
Adapted from “Virtual Meetings Don’t Have to Be a Bore,” by Andy Molinsky
|
Research Article of the Week
Chronic Pain: A Review of Its Epidemiology and Associated Factors in Population-Based Studies
Chronic pain is a common, complex, and distressing problem that has a profound impact on individuals and society. It frequently presents as a result of a disease or an injury; however, it is not merely an accompanying symptom, but rather a separate condition in its own right, with its own medical definition and taxonomy. Studying the distribution and determinants of chronic pain allows us to understand and manage the problem at the individual and population levels. Targeted and appropriate prevention and management strategies need to take into account the biological, psychological, socio-demographic, and lifestyle determinants and outcomes of pain. We present a narrative review of the current understanding of these factors.
Mills, S., Nicolson, K. P., & Smith, B. H. (2019). Chronic pain: a review of its epidemiology and associated factors in population-based studies. British journal of anaesthesia, 123(2), e273–e283.
Read the full article...
The Learning Curve - The RMTAO Education Series
|
The Learning Curve - The RMTAO Education Series
The Learning Curve provides education to massage therapists in a variety of hands-on workshops and lecture-based seminars across Ontario focused on three main areas-Competency, Business, and Modality. The Continuing Education Program is designed to help massage therapists increase their knowledge base to continuously improve for both their own personal success and that of the client.
Click here for more information about the courses that are offered by the RMTAO.
|
Upcoming Community Networks and Related Activities
The RMTAO has created a feature on RMTAO.com for Community Networks. Members and non-members can access information about the latest upcoming network activities on our list of upcoming events!
Don't see a Community Based Network near you? You can contact Laura Fixman at laura@rmtao.com to learn more about starting one!
London Community Based Network
Date: Monday, June 1, 2020
Time: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Venue: Online Meeting
Meeting Link: https://meetingsamer6.webex.com/meetingsamer6/j.php?MTID=m9df119b60647b455017b43747633c9b4
Meeting number: 627 518 995
Join by video system
Dial 1266574498@meetingsamer6.webex.com
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.
Join by phone
+1-416-216-5643
Topics: This is a casual meeting for ALL RMTs and students, RMTAO members or not, to get together with peers, update and discuss latest CMTO and RMTAO news, talk over practice issues, and share knowledge. Newer RMT? Tap into some experience! An old hand? Find some fresh perspective, get a boost and pass on your hard-won know-how.
RSVP: Dani Faucher, London CBN Coordinator, danifaucher.rmt@gmail.com
Durham Community Based Network
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Venue: Online Meeting
Topics: Return to Work & Covid-19 Practice Guidelines . For information on how to join the meeting, please contact Heather Rivers.
RSVP: Heather Rivers, Durham CBN Coordinator, riversrmt@gmail.com
|
IN THIS ISSUE
ADVERTISEMENTS
THE MORE YOU KNOW
As Canadian workers toil away at home during the coronavirus pandemic, often hunched over laptops in awkward positions for hours, employers must prepare themselves for the emerging problem of workplace injuries sustained at home, a health-care professional says.
Read more...
|
