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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
RMTAO Advocacy
As you may have heard, in Doug Ford’s press conference this week, on June 9, he was asked why Registered Massage Therapists are able to reopen but hairdressers or not. Both Ford, and the Minister of Health Christine Elliott were unable to clearly articulate that this was because unlike hairdressers, Registered Massage Therapists are a regulated health profession that has a regulatory college to set requirements to protect the public, and make important contributions to Ontario health care.
The RMTAO has written to both Ford and Elliott today reiterating the role of Registered Massage Therapists as regulated health professionals and requesting a statement of correction to ease public confusion and ensure that the public is more aware of the role of RMTs.
Read the letter to Minister Elliott regarding the June 9 Press Conference
CMTO FAQ Updates
The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) has added several points to their frequently asked questions on their COVID-19 page to further clarify their guidelines for a gradual return to practice.
In particular, they clarified whether treatment may be provided to individuals who were exposed or had close contact to a confirmed case of COVID-19, during their work (e.g. nurses and doctors), and additional precautions that should be considered in those cases.
The CMTO regularly updates these FAQs based on questions they hear from RMTs, and the RMTAO will often ask the CMTO to provide clairification on issues brought up frequently by our members.
Read the CMTO COVID-19 FAQs
Pre-Screening Patients Through ClinicSense
RMTAO software partner, ClinicSense, has implemented a process to automatically pre-screen your clients. Here’s how it works:
- Upon booking the appointment, the client will be notified to not book an appointment if they are experiencing any of the known COVID-19 symptoms
- Then, one day before the appointment the client will automatically be emailed a link to complete a COVID-19 prescreening form online
- Once the pre-screening form is submitted, the client’s appointment will be marked with a check mark so you know that they have been prescreened.
ClinicSense has made the pre-screening form customizable so you can tailor it to your specific needs.
Click here to learn more about client pre-screening. RMTAO members get a 14-day free trial of ClinicSense and access to discounted rates.
Read more about discounts on Clinicsense
Brain Injury Awareness Month
June is Brain Injury Awareness Month, which is an opportunity to raise awareness of the effects of brain injuries and what can be done to help prevent them, and to treat them.
RMTAO member Richard Lebert provided a great overview of massage therapy for post-concussion syndrome in the Ontario Brain Injury Association Review in 2018.
Read the article...
RMTAO Career Listing Service
As RMTs are gradually returning to work, many clinics and other practice locations are once again looking to hire or rent space to RMTs.
RMTAO members have exclusive access to our Career Opportunities Listing Service, which features both positions available and spaces for rent across Ontario.
View the Career Opportunities available
If you're looking to hire an RMT you can post on our website! Listings are at a discounted rate of $70.63 tax included for members for a four week posting. Listings are available to all RMTAO members.
Learn more about hiring an RMT
If you'd like to receive weekly emails with new career listings you can edit your RMTAO profile.
Adventures from Karen's Clinic Home
Member Question of the Week
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I ordered necessary PPE a while ago and it hasn't arrived. What can I do?
Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been difficult for frontline workers to get the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) they need to keep themselves and others safe.
This difficulty was further exacerbated by the May 27 announcement that all regulated health professionals could graudally resume practice. Many regular PPE suppliers have many of their supplies (e.g. masks, gowns, disinfectants, etc.) on back order, and shipping is taking much longer than it once did, due to the massive demand. This issue is universal among PPE suppliers and is happening across Canada and around the world.;
The only thing you can do at the moment is shop around if possible, and be patient. PPE suppliers have also been receiving unprecedented volumes of inquiries from their customers and are working as quickly as possible. Although RMTs could gradually resume practice as of May 27, it does not mean they have to return and many RMTs still do not have the PPE they require to return to practice. If you cannot practice due to not having the required PPE, you still qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.;
Do you have a question? Email info@rmtao.com
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Business Tip of the Week
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Don’t Let Video Calls Drain Your Energy
Let’s face it, video calls are exhausting. But there are a few things you can do to conserve your time and energy. Start by avoiding multitasking. It may be tempting to try to get other work done while you’re listening in, but switching between tasks can cost you as much as 40% of your productivity. Next, cut down on distractions. Close your browser tabs, put your phone away, and stay present. You can take short breaks during longer calls by minimizing the video, or just looking away from your computer now and then. You can also take a step back and ask yourself whether you even need a video meeting. Check your calendar to see if there are any conversations that you could have over Slack or email instead. And finally, don’t feel obligated to make every conversation a video call. Especially when you’re talking to people outside your organization, a phone call is probably just fine. Taking these steps may feel hard at first, but they will help prevent you from feeling drained at the end of another workday.
Adapted from “How to Combat Zoom Fatigue,” by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy
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Research Article of the Week
Evaluating the Effect of Massage Based on Slow Stroke Back Massage on the Anxiety of Candidates for Cataract Surgery
Purpose:Preoperative anxiety over cataract surgery affects a large number of patients. This study aims to evaluate the effect of slow-stroke back massage on the anxiety of candidates for cataract surgery.
Design:Quasi-experimental study.
Methods:This study was a quasi-experimental study, which involved 60 candidates for cataract surgery referred to Amiralmomenin Hospital, Zabol in Iran between August 1, 2015, and March 30, 2016. These patients were randomly divided into two groups of slow-stroke back massage group (n=30) and control group (n=30). After obtaining an informed consent, the anxiety levels were measured by the Spielberger state trait anxiety questionnaire in the slow-stroke back massage group and the control group on the morning of the surgery before and immediately after the massage. SPSS software version 22 was used for data analysis. Independent t-test and chi-square test were used to compare the data.
Findings: According to the results, there was a significant difference between the anxiety levels of the patients in the intervention group before and after the massage (p < 0.001).
Conclussions:Based on the results of this study, Slow-stroke-back massage, which is a low-cost and safe method, significantly reduces anxiety in patients who are candidates for cataract surgery.
Mohammadpourhodki R, Sargolzaei MS, Basirinezhad MH. (Apr. 2019) Evaluating the effect of massage based on slow stroke back massage on the anxiety of candidates for cataract surgery. Rom J Ophthalmol. 63(2):146-152.
Read the full article...
The Learning Curve - The RMTAO Education Series
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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.
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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:Saturday June 13, 2020
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location:This is a virtual meeting.
Meeting Information:Link to join meeting: https://meetingsamer6.webex.com/meetingsamer6/j.php?MTID=mde9fc5c360c732175f0ffc0cfaafa58c
Meeting number: 126 637 9251, Password: cdB5trXj7k6 (23258795 from phones and video systems)
Topic:PPE and returning to work.
Agenda: All areas RMT Community-Based Network discussion on PPE and starting back up: This includes - PPE: what is required, where to source, what has/hasn't worked for you as well as starting Up: hive-mind trouble-shooting, concerns about starting, experiences of those who have started already. Relaxed format, you can choose to not use your webcam/video, you can also phone in if your connection is poor. Drop-ins welcome.
RSVP:RSVP to Dani Faucher at danifaucher.rmt@gmail.com
Read the full meeting information...
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