What does it mean to be a massage therapist and a multi-disciplinary healthcare provider?
Victoria Walden
Due Date 30th October 2009
What does it mean to be a massage therapist?
As a massage therapist I believe that I have techniques and the qualifications to help improve the present status of clients that come to me with muscle pain or just for pure relaxation. Working within the scope of practice, that Massage New Zealand has produced I believe that I can help improve client’s quality of life.
As a multi-disciplinary practitioner alongside massage therapy is where I believe that I should become accustomed to other healthcare providers scope of practice that could aid in the recovery of any client that may come to me for treatment.
I feel as a multi-disciplinary practitioner you have to have an open mind to other means of treatment to help your client recover from any dysfunction that needs attending too.
McQuillan (2009), states that ‘Dialog is the key to working effectively as a multi-disciplinary practitioner:’
To achieve this is:
- Consensus
- Appreciation of difference
- Cross-fertilisation
- Consensus means a general or widespread agreement among all the members of a group. Between different means of treatment from different healthcare providers is where as a practitioners research has to come into play and showing evidence of treatment plans and how they can help the client. Through research and communication I believe that healthcare providers can produce a quality treatment plan for the client.
- Appreciation of difference means that every healthcare provider will have a different perspective on different treatments for clients therefore each practitioner needs to understand that everyone has different expertise.
- Cross-fertilisation means that each practitioner may have their expertise and through this you can work together and cross-fertilise ideas and treatment plans.
To provide a multi-disciplinary healthcare to each client from a massage therapist viewpoint will be hard and struggle to get other healthcare providers on board. This has a large affect on the C.A.M (Complimentary alternative medicines) as we have so much that we can provide to other healthcare professionals, who see that they are higher and more highly ranked in this department of care for clients. Recent research however has seen that C.A.M are becoming more recognised, World Health Organisation now recognises multi-disciplinary as a way for healthcare operators to work.
I believe as a massage therapist and part of the C.A.M we are slowly but surely making a mark in the healthcare provider’s profession. As a massage therapist, I feel it is our duty to inform clients of their options to request the second opinion of other healthcare providers. It is also our duty to respect and understand that there are other alternatives to treatment for each individual.
As a whole I believe that within any healthcare profession that multi-disciplinary practice should be set in place to provide that best suited care for any client who needs help. Communication is the key alongside consensus, appreciation of difference and also cross-fertilisation, from this I believe that it will take time and money, also the hierarchy within occupations will have to subside. If all is applied, the healthcare profession will reach new heights in applying care for clients.
References:
Class notes
McQuillan, D. Elluminate. Multi Disciplinary Practice. October 28th 2009. Professional Practice.
My own thoughts
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
How does reflective practice, supervision and the professional development policy, support professional practice?
Professional Practice:
Reflective practice:
Using reflective practice within your business gives you the opportunity to improve not only with the present status of your business but also for yourself, in how you can improve your application within the business, massage, and also with client care. When using a reflective practice you can identify your strengths and weaknesses and how you can tackle them. I believe I could apply this in my business by:
- Writing a journal
- Feed-back forms from clients
- An comment box for clients who would like to remain unknown
- Writing comments to self, after treatment of each client, what worked and what could I have done better.
- Researching and asking about similar differences that others may have in common from other therapists.
From these few ideas I believe that I can obtain vital information and review what I can do to help improve the way that my business is run, from how each client is welcomed including phone calls, all the way to when they have come and gone back out the door. I know that this will improve the professional practice of any business.
Supervisor:
I believe having a supervisor is a vital aspect to the massage practice, within its professional practice. The position that the supervisor would take is to be a channel for your thoughts and also someone to bounce ideas off. The supervisor would also be there as a guild and someone to talk to if problems or issues come about within the practice that you cannot seem to find a solution. As a new massage therapist to the business I feel that I would need a supervisor within my first year as I no longer have the security of the lecturers or fellow students and have to deal with issues on my own. With a supervisor I can channel my thoughts and categories them into priorities to what is necessary at the time. My business therefore would not be cluttered with my thoughts and be scattered, instead it would be organised as my thinking process and also my worries would be out of my head, keeping it clear for the high quality of professional service that I would want to provide.
To establish a professional business you need to have someone to channel your thinking process and to keep your mind clear and concise.
To develop and improve your massage business you need to keep up with the latest things and the keep furthering and increasing your knowledge of the massage industry. With the professional development policy that is run through Massage New Zealand I believe as a massage therapist that it would be a great time to join and keep up to date. With joining MNZ you can further your education as a therapist and also be informed of workshops, gaining formal education. Massage New Zealand can offer so much to a young therapist in the industry: Latest knowledge, creditability, also giving your clients the comfort knowing that you are a trustworthy and professional practitioner. To have a professional practice being involved with a business, MNZ, is a step forward to becoming a successful therapist in the industry.
From what I have stated above I believe that it all relates and supports professional practice, they can improve the quality of the business at present and can maintain a high quality of service to each individual. These steps can enhance the ability to understand the industry and also your business in that industry. It can improve relations, ideas, quality, and the success of your practice in pleasing the potential customer and also you as a business owner.
References:
My own thoughts
Victoria Walden
Due Date: 23rd October
In a massage business a professional practice is what keeps your business successful and providing a high quality of service to each potential customer. I believe that within each business there should be reflective practice, supervision and a guild and also being involved with the professional development policy, this will show that you as a massage therapist uphold and support professional practice in your business. I believe that these three steps in your business will increase the status of your practice and improve the thinking, focus, and ideas that will continue to enhance you professional practice.
Reflective practice:
Using reflective practice within your business gives you the opportunity to improve not only with the present status of your business but also for yourself, in how you can improve your application within the business, massage, and also with client care. When using a reflective practice you can identify your strengths and weaknesses and how you can tackle them. I believe I could apply this in my business by:
- Writing a journal
- Feed-back forms from clients
- An comment box for clients who would like to remain unknown
- Writing comments to self, after treatment of each client, what worked and what could I have done better.
- Researching and asking about similar differences that others may have in common from other therapists.
From these few ideas I believe that I can obtain vital information and review what I can do to help improve the way that my business is run, from how each client is welcomed including phone calls, all the way to when they have come and gone back out the door. I know that this will improve the professional practice of any business.
Supervisor:
I believe having a supervisor is a vital aspect to the massage practice, within its professional practice. The position that the supervisor would take is to be a channel for your thoughts and also someone to bounce ideas off. The supervisor would also be there as a guild and someone to talk to if problems or issues come about within the practice that you cannot seem to find a solution. As a new massage therapist to the business I feel that I would need a supervisor within my first year as I no longer have the security of the lecturers or fellow students and have to deal with issues on my own. With a supervisor I can channel my thoughts and categories them into priorities to what is necessary at the time. My business therefore would not be cluttered with my thoughts and be scattered, instead it would be organised as my thinking process and also my worries would be out of my head, keeping it clear for the high quality of professional service that I would want to provide.
To establish a professional business you need to have someone to channel your thinking process and to keep your mind clear and concise.
To develop and improve your massage business you need to keep up with the latest things and the keep furthering and increasing your knowledge of the massage industry. With the professional development policy that is run through Massage New Zealand I believe as a massage therapist that it would be a great time to join and keep up to date. With joining MNZ you can further your education as a therapist and also be informed of workshops, gaining formal education. Massage New Zealand can offer so much to a young therapist in the industry: Latest knowledge, creditability, also giving your clients the comfort knowing that you are a trustworthy and professional practitioner. To have a professional practice being involved with a business, MNZ, is a step forward to becoming a successful therapist in the industry.
From what I have stated above I believe that it all relates and supports professional practice, they can improve the quality of the business at present and can maintain a high quality of service to each individual. These steps can enhance the ability to understand the industry and also your business in that industry. It can improve relations, ideas, quality, and the success of your practice in pleasing the potential customer and also you as a business owner.
References:
My own thoughts
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Massage Industry and Government Policy in NZ
Massage Industry and Government Policy in NZ
Victoria Walden
Due 16th Oct (with week extention).
How can I as an individual massage therapist influence the development of government policy & laws that are supportive of the profession?
Within New Zealand our Government has certain policies and laws that are put in place to ensure the protection and safety of both parties involved. Massage therapy does not have laws specific to the profession and therefore there are massage therapists that are not qualified under NZQA or other education outlet. Through this anyone can massage and set up a business.
The laws that relate to massage therapy are as follows:
Privacy Act 1993
Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995
Consumer Guarantees Act 1993
Medicines Act 1981
Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994
Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act 2003
Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2001
Local Body Requirements
Occupational Health and Safety requirements
From these laws they are a base outline as to what a massage therapist should abide by. These laws are unfortunately not specific to a massage therapist allowing a lot of variation to each therapist. Within New Zealand anyone can set up a business and apply massage to any customer that walks through their door. I believe that this approach to massage has to be rectified as there are different levels of experience and variation as to the extent of the education to some therapists.
I feel that the massage industry should be regulated. Yes there are therapists out there who have made their living as a professional massage therapist, without any educational certificates and have the same knowledge. I believe that there should be an allowance for people such as them, even a test that is national wide. From my perspective I see that some therapists can diminish the massage industry by their professionalism and through their practice, therefore regulation should be put into practice.
However as a new massage therapist to the industry I believe that there should be a one year integration into the business where I have read that you only really start learning when you being to apply your massage to the public.
With the dispute “massage regulation” I believe as a massage therapist myself there needs to be more information provided and also giving the opportunity to educate massage therapists without the correct knowledge if they agree.
There will always be public who dispute the regulation of therapists: Massage therapists without education, massage therapists who, not only supply massage, and also the public. From this the massage industry will always be split until there is more information provided to the public and also to other massage therapists, as in this industry the practice is evolving and improving in its techniques and application to the potential cliental.
I believe that the ways in which I could influence the minds of the public and try and convince, is that the education to a massage therapist is beneficial and essential to your help and safety of each client.
I could:
- Have my qualifications displayed on the wall where the clients will see it.
- Be registered under Massage New Zealand
- Provide clients with information that I have qualifications
- Provide clients with the information that some therapists do not have to qualifications as a massage therapist
- Communicate with Polytechnic where I studied, including teachers, students etc...
- Communicate with town district
- Get as many people behind the bill, this also involves the potential clients that will need massage for example: high advanced sporting athletes, doctors, hospitals, high profile businesses etc...
In conclusion I feel that the regulation of therapists should come into play and that everyone should back it. Myself as a therapist, I feel that each therapist should be allowed a year in the industry to learn and to get the experience of how the business is run and how to polish of techniques to provide the highest quality of service to each client. I feel that I need to understand and read more about how this industry is evolving and how we as a nation can improve the status at this present point where there are a lot of questions still unanswered.
References:
Class notes. (2008).
McQuillan, D. Elluminate. Understanding Legal Process .September the 23rd 2009. Professional Practice. Polytechnic Massage Therapy Diploma Course.
My own thoughts
New Zealand Legislation. (2009). Retrieved October, 17th, 2009 from http://www.legislation.govt.nz/
Victoria Walden
Due 16th Oct (with week extention).
How can I as an individual massage therapist influence the development of government policy & laws that are supportive of the profession?
Within New Zealand our Government has certain policies and laws that are put in place to ensure the protection and safety of both parties involved. Massage therapy does not have laws specific to the profession and therefore there are massage therapists that are not qualified under NZQA or other education outlet. Through this anyone can massage and set up a business.
The laws that relate to massage therapy are as follows:
Privacy Act 1993
Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995
Consumer Guarantees Act 1993
Medicines Act 1981
Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994
Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act 2003
Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2001
Local Body Requirements
Occupational Health and Safety requirements
From these laws they are a base outline as to what a massage therapist should abide by. These laws are unfortunately not specific to a massage therapist allowing a lot of variation to each therapist. Within New Zealand anyone can set up a business and apply massage to any customer that walks through their door. I believe that this approach to massage has to be rectified as there are different levels of experience and variation as to the extent of the education to some therapists.
I feel that the massage industry should be regulated. Yes there are therapists out there who have made their living as a professional massage therapist, without any educational certificates and have the same knowledge. I believe that there should be an allowance for people such as them, even a test that is national wide. From my perspective I see that some therapists can diminish the massage industry by their professionalism and through their practice, therefore regulation should be put into practice.
However as a new massage therapist to the industry I believe that there should be a one year integration into the business where I have read that you only really start learning when you being to apply your massage to the public.
With the dispute “massage regulation” I believe as a massage therapist myself there needs to be more information provided and also giving the opportunity to educate massage therapists without the correct knowledge if they agree.
There will always be public who dispute the regulation of therapists: Massage therapists without education, massage therapists who, not only supply massage, and also the public. From this the massage industry will always be split until there is more information provided to the public and also to other massage therapists, as in this industry the practice is evolving and improving in its techniques and application to the potential cliental.
I believe that the ways in which I could influence the minds of the public and try and convince, is that the education to a massage therapist is beneficial and essential to your help and safety of each client.
I could:
- Have my qualifications displayed on the wall where the clients will see it.
- Be registered under Massage New Zealand
- Provide clients with information that I have qualifications
- Provide clients with the information that some therapists do not have to qualifications as a massage therapist
- Communicate with Polytechnic where I studied, including teachers, students etc...
- Communicate with town district
- Get as many people behind the bill, this also involves the potential clients that will need massage for example: high advanced sporting athletes, doctors, hospitals, high profile businesses etc...
In conclusion I feel that the regulation of therapists should come into play and that everyone should back it. Myself as a therapist, I feel that each therapist should be allowed a year in the industry to learn and to get the experience of how the business is run and how to polish of techniques to provide the highest quality of service to each client. I feel that I need to understand and read more about how this industry is evolving and how we as a nation can improve the status at this present point where there are a lot of questions still unanswered.
References:
Class notes. (2008).
McQuillan, D. Elluminate. Understanding Legal Process .September the 23rd 2009. Professional Practice. Polytechnic Massage Therapy Diploma Course.
My own thoughts
New Zealand Legislation. (2009). Retrieved October, 17th, 2009 from http://www.legislation.govt.nz/
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