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MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

STANDARD OF PRACTICE

Before a member is registered they must submit proof of educational status as having graduated from a recognized school of Manual Osteopathy and have obtained the DOMP / DO-MTP / DOMM / DOMT with training of at least:

  • 3600 Curriculum Hours including a mandatory 1000 hours Clinical Internship

Pre-requisites to include:

  • University-level Anatomy / Physiology / Pathology, Biochemistry;

  • Valid First-Aid and CPR diplomas.

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Assessment of training and practical examination must be completed by applicant before acceptance by GOCC and GOCO, as well as attendance to our Entry to Practice Competencies Osteopathy Workshops©.

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Join Us - Application Form

RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP

Continuing education units are required for annual renewal of membership which is in the form of 60 CEU's in related courses.

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Renewal Form

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

A system of medicine based on the theory that disturbances in the musculoskeletal system affect other bodily parts, causing many disorders that can be corrected by various manual techniques without the use of conventional medical, surgical, pharmacological, and other therapeutic procedures.

 

Having accomplished the general and specific objectives of training, the graduate, upon completion of the educational program, will be competent to function as a Manual Osteopath.

SCOPE OF PRACTICE

During the course of the training the student must acquire a satisfactory knowledge of the principles common to all Osteopathy Manual Practice. These principles include anatomy, neuro-anatomy, physiology, bio-chemistry, pathology, micro-biology, community medicine, parasitology, post-surgical treatment care and complications, Manipulative treatment in a clinical setting to include obstetrics, gynecology and pediatric care.

 

In addition, the graduate must have clinical competence and detailed knowledge of the scientific rationale for the treatment of the entire musculoskeletal system and must be at least familiar, and preferably have had exposure to spinal treatment techniques and approaches. It is highly desirable that the graduate has experience in, and knowledge of, basic orthotics and the medical aspects of rheumatic disease.

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND CONDUCT

All active members of the General Osteopathic Council of Ontario (GOCO) and its parent company GOCC agree to be bound by the following principles in their practice of Osteopathic Manual Medicine. For the purpose of convenience, Osteopathic Manual Practitioner means any Registered Member of the General Osteopathic Council of Ontario.

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  1. A Registered Member will conduct himself / herself in his / her professional duties in accordance with this code as approved by the GOCO / GOCC.

  2. A Registered Member must maintain his / her knowledge and practice at an acceptable level of competence - by demonstrating the willingness to earn 15 hours of professional upgrading seminars (CEU) every year.

  3. A Registered Member must only perform or participate in those procedures that are within his or her Scope of Practice and competency, and for which he or she is appropriately qualified; and must refer those patients whose needs or requests are outside his or her competency.

  4. All services and functions practised by a Registered Member must be provided in accordance with this code.

  5. A Registered Member’s ordinary place of practice must provide privacy and confidentiality for his / her patients and their records.

  6. A Registered Member must not exploit his / her relationship with a patient in any way. In particular there must not be a sexual relationship with a patient during the professional relationship.

  7. A Registered Member must refrain from criticising colleagues in public, or in a clinical setting, in a manner which casts doubts on the colleague's professional competence. This does not apply to the critical evaluation of published works or to expert testimony in court.

  8. A Registered Member must not, unless required by law, divulge information about a patient unless the patient specifically authorises the release in writing. Even under these circumstances, a Registered Member should be aware of the necessity of preserving confidentiality as much as possible. For example, in court, a Registered Member may request the judge or magistrate to permit the suppression of information not relevant to the matter being decided.

  9. A Registered Member must inform his or her patients at the commencement of a course of treatment of the reasonably foreseeable implications, including material risks, complications and reactions, and explain the nature and purpose of the treatment.

  10. A Registered Member must not undertake research involving human subjects without the research protocol being approved by a properly constituted ethics committee. This applies in particular to students or trainees who are being considered as subjects for research.

  11. A Registered Member must not approve of, or collaborate in the use of osteopathic techniques by untrained persons except when those persons are in supervised training.

  12. A Registered Member must respect the ethical, religious and political beliefs of his or her patients and must be willing to refer patients to a more suitable practitioner should such issues seem likely to affect the professional relationship.

  13. A Registered Member must respect the wish of a patient for a second opinion and must, if practicable, help the patient obtain a competent second opinion.

  14. If a Registered Member has reason to believe that a colleague is behaving in an unprofessional manner, or that his or her standard of practice falls substantially below acceptable standards then, if practicable, the colleague must be approached in a helpful way. If this is not practicable, then the Registered Member should report the behaviour to the GOCO / GOCC - which will then have to meet to consider any appropriate action.

  15. A Registered Member must not treat a patient whilst his or her ability to do so is impaired by the influence of alcohol or drugs.

  16. A Registered Member in practice, and for a minimum of seven years after retiring from practice, must maintain Professional Indemnity Insurance coverage - in an amount judged to be sufficient by the GOCO / GOCC at the time.

  17. A Registered Member must immediately advise the GOCO / GOCC in the event of any of the following.

    • If convicted of a criminal offence anywhere in the world.

    • If named as a defendant in a court action for negligence or other malpractice in the provision of osteopathic services.

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