General
- The osteopath must make the care of the patient their main concern.
- The osteopath must act in accordance with conventional osteopathic medicine theory.
- The osteopath must ensure his continued professional development through courses, conferences and workshops, and follow discoveries and developments in his or her field of practice.
- The osteopath must keep an organized medical record of all patient, which shall include the following information: patient’s personal details, patient’s complaints, medical history, medical findings, diagnosis, care provided, recommendations made and response to treatment.
Patient Care
- The osteopath must treat the patient fairly and respectfully.
- The osteopath must accurately inform the patient, or those responsible for him or her, about his or her medical condition and treatment provided.
- At the time of treatment, the osteopath must act in full concentration and take the time to listen to the patient’s needs and provide him or her with the proper treatment.
- The osteopath must not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, or disability.
- The osteopath must maintain the confidentiality of a patient’s medical details. Confidential information can only be disclosed with patient consent or legal mandate to do so.
- When an osteopath seeks to terminate a therapeutic relationship, he must inform the patient ahead of time in order to allow him or her to find another therapist.
- The osteopath must not give a written or oral recommendation that could be interpreted as a denial of conventional medicine. The osteopath must not instruct a patient to take any drug or to stop following a prescribed regimen.
- Child care: patients under 16 years of age must be treated only under the consent of a parent or legal guardian. The presence of a parent or legal guardian is recommended during treatment of patients under 18 years of age.
- The osteopath must respect his patient’s rights and dignity, both physically and mentally.
- The osteopath must not make comments or insinuations of a sexual or abusive nature towards a patient.
- The osteopath must allow the presence of a chaperone at the time of treatment, and inform the patient of his or her right for a chaperone.
Professional Standards
- When applicable and when in the interest of the patient, the osteopath must consult with colleagues or other experts in the fields of medicine.
- The osteopath must treat his or her colleagues with respect in all of his or her communications with patients, students and the general public.
- Any dispute between osteopaths on professional, ethical or organizational matters, will be first brought to the attention of the association for arbitration.
- No commission will be paid for patient referral.
- The osteopath must not obtain new patients through unjust means.
Advertisement
- The osteopath may advertise his or her services, but is forbidden from advertising anything that is false or misleading.
- The osteopath must display or advertise only degrees and honors granted by recognized institutions.
Between Teaching Institutions
- Any school or institution, which teaches osteopathy and is a member of the association, must operate in accordance with the “School Criteria”, published by the association, and with these guidelines for ethical and professional conduct.
- Any school or institution, which is a member of the association, must treat its students, teachers and fellow institutions with respect and shall refrain from slander at all times.
- Any school or institution, which is a member of the association, must not attract students from other institutions through unjust or illegal means.