OSTEOPATH ASSOCIATION QUESTIONNAIRE #

Name of Association: ACMA Association
Contact Name: Dr. Sylvain Desforges
Address: 1375 av. Normandie, Mascouche, QC, J7L 0A3
Phone Number: 1-888-393-9394
Email: info@acma-association.com
Website: www.acma-association.com

1. What is the inception date of this Association? 15/01/2008

2. Does your Association have a Board of Directors? Yes

What are their responsibilities for the Association?: Dr Sylvain Desforges, president; Natalie Crevier, tresory; and Sophie Desforges, secretary

3. What are your general requirements for new members?

We have a set of general requirements that prospective members must fulfill. Firstly, you should have completed a training program in osteopathy to ensure that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to serve as a professional osteopath.

• Complete Application Form: This is the first step to initiate your membership process. You need to fill out the application form providing all relevant personal and professional information.
• Mandatory Malpractice Insurance: This is a requisite to safeguard both you and your patients. It’s a professional liability insurance that covers you in the event of a malpractice claim.
• Submission of Documents: For verification purposes, we require you to submit a few documents. These include your diplomas, transcripts, ID card, and proof of your malpractice insurance. Make sure all the details are up-to-date and valid.
• Membership Payment: To officially become a member, a membership fee is required. The amount and payment method will be communicated to you during the application process.
• Complete Your Online Profile: Once your membership is active, you will need to create and complete your online profile. This profile will serve as a digital identity in our community, allowing other members to know more about you and your professional background.
• Complete Admission Exam: To ensure that our members have a proficient level of knowledge and skill in osteopathy, an admission exam is required. More details about the exam will be provided once you have submitted your application.
• Mandatory Continuing Education: To keep our members abreast of the latest research and developments in osteopathy, we have a requirement for continuing education. This ensures that your knowledge remains fresh and relevant, ultimately providing the best care for your patients.
• Join our Facebook Group: We strongly recommend you join our Facebook group. It is a platform where we share all the latest news, updates, and events about ACMA. This will help you stay connected and engaged with the ACMA community.

4. What is the minimum number of required curriculum hours required by members? 

The minimum number of required curriculum hours for members is set at 2000 hours. This standard is based on the benchmark of osteopathy established by the World Health Organization (WHO) for type II educational institutions.

To elaborate, a type II institution, as per the WHO guidelines, includes institutions providing full-time education and training that is intended to prepare students for professional practice in osteopathy or osteopathic medicine. The curriculum is comprehensive, including a broad range of subjects relevant to the practice of osteopathy and the provision of patient care.

The 2000-hour requirement ensures that students obtain a comprehensive understanding of the field. These hours are typically divided among various activities, including classroom instruction, practical training, and clinical experience. The curriculum is designed to provide a solid theoretical foundation in the biomedical sciences, a deep understanding of the musculoskeletal system, and robust clinical training to develop hands-on osteopathic skills.

This requirement is critical to ensuring that all members have an acceptable level of knowledge and expertise in osteopathy, promoting high-quality patient care and adherence to professional standards. Please note that these hours are the minimum requirement and actual curriculum hours may vary depending on the specific course or program.

5. What is the minimum clinical hours required by members? 

The minimum requirement for clinical hours for members is established at 1000 hours, a standard informed by the guidelines for Type II educational institutions as outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Clinical hours are an integral part of the educational process, offering hands-on experience in treating patients under the supervision of experienced practitioners. These hours are critical for the development of practical skills and competencies, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge gained during their coursework to real-life scenarios.

The 1000-hour requirement ensures that students gain significant exposure to a variety of clinical situations. This includes learning to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, building rapport with patients, and understanding the professional and ethical considerations involved in providing healthcare.

This clinical practice, coupled with academic study, prepares students for professional practice in osteopathy or osteopathic medicine, aligning with the Type II institution’s goal. It’s important to note that the specified 1000 hours are a minimum threshold and the actual clinical hours may vary depending on the specific program or institutional requirements.

These hours not only promote competency but also ensure that graduates are prepared to deliver high-quality patient care and uphold professional standards in their practice.

6. Which accredited colleges do you accept registrants from? By accepting registrants from accredited colleges, the organization ensures that its members have received a quality education that adheres to the standards of the profession. This process helps ensure that all members are competent and capable of delivering high-quality care to their patients. For the specific accredited colleges recognized by the organization, it’s always best to refer to the provided link or directly contact the organization for the most accurate and current information.

List of Accredited Schools of Osteopathy

7. Do members have to successfully complete any examination as part of the enrolment into the association? Yes

If so, please provide details.

Indeed, to join the association, the practitioner is required to pass a preliminary examination. This examination is essential for evaluating the practitioner’s knowledge and competence in relevant areas of their practice. The exam includes specific sections that cover the association’s Code of Ethics and complaint process, to ensure that the practitioner is well-informed and can adhere to ACMA’s standards and ethical practices. In this way, the association strives to maintain a high level of professionalism and quality among its members.

8. Is an up-to-date list of members and their status published online? Yes

Verify a member

9. Are members required to complete continuing education? Yes
If so, please provide details.

The purpose of continuing education activities is to enable members to acquire, maintain, update, improve, deepen and perfect their knowledge, skills and professional skills related to the practice of their profession. These are governed by the ACMA Mandatory Continuing Education Policy.

All ACMA members must follow a continuing education program and accumulate at least 30 hours of continuing education related to the practice of their profession per two-year reference period.

Training activities can only cover topics directly related to your profession and be previously approved by ACMA Association.

10. If a client wishes to provide feedback on or make a complaint about a Member of your Association, how would they go about doing so? Contact info? E-mail, phone.

Complaint Form

11. Do you have a website? Yes

12. Do you have rules, guidelines or a code of conduct that Members are required to follow? Yes
If so, please provide details.

ACMA Association Code of deontology: www.acma-association.com/knowledge-base/acma-association-code-of-deontology/

ACMA ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS: www.acma-association.com/knowledge-base/acma-association-code-of-ethics/

ACMA ASSOCIATION PRACTICE STANDARDS: www.acma-association.com/knowledge-base/acma-association-practice-standards/

ACMA ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES: www.acma-association.com/knowledge-base/acma-association-membership-guidelines/

13. What are the processes in place in the event a Member has been disciplined by the college or charged with offences related to Osteopathy?

ACMA Association disciplinary processes when a member has been disciplined or charged with offenses related to their professional field, in this case, osteopathy.

1. Investigation: Once ACMA association becomes aware of a charge or disciplinary action, it typically conducts its own investigation to gather all relevant facts. This may involve requesting documents from the member or patient, or speaking with the member in question.
2. Review: ACMA association usually has a disciplinary or ethics committee that reviews the findings of the investigation.
3. Hearing: Depending on the severity of the charges or disciplinary action, and the association’s policies, a hearing may be held. The member would have an opportunity to present their case, and the committee would consider all information before making a decision.
4. Decision: The committee decides on an appropriate response based on the association’s disciplinary rules and procedures. Possible outcomes can range from taking no action, issuing a warning, requiring further education or supervision, to suspending or revoking the member’s membership.
5. Appeal: In most cases, the member has a right to appeal the committee’s decision. The appeal might be heard by a different committee or by the association’s board.
6. Notification: Depending on the nature of the offense, the decision may be communicated to the members, other regulatory bodies, or the public. This is often done in the interest of transparency and to maintain public trust in the profession.

Do you publish this information? Yes

www.acma-association.com/complaint-form/#Jugements

14. Do you have processes to terminate membership of or otherwise discipline Members? Yes

If so, please provide details.

Yes, according to the complaint process outlined in the documents provided (www.acma-association.com/knowledge-base/complaint-process-of-acma-association/), ACMA Association does have procedures in place to terminate or otherwise discipline its members.

The process begins with a formal complaint made against a member, which can be lodged by a variety of individuals including supervisors, co-workers, other healthcare professionals, or members of the public such as patients or family members. The nature of these complaints is usually serious, including professional misconduct, incompetence, dishonesty, and incapacity.

Following the receipt of a complaint, an investigation is launched by the Disciplinary Board, which consists of a minimum of three persons appointed by the ACMA Association Board of Directors. This investigation includes gathering information, interviewing the complainant, the member, and any other individuals who may have relevant information.

If the investigation finds grounds for the complaint, there are several potential outcomes. The Disciplinary Board can attempt to mediate and resolve the issue informally, or they can refer the matter to a formal hearing. During this hearing, the Disciplinary Board can decide to dismiss the complaint, impose certain conditions on the member’s practice, or even suspend or expel the member from the ACMA Association.

In the event of a suspension or expulsion, the member’s name would be struck from the register. Further, if the member is found guilty of professional incompetence or professional misconduct, they could be ordered to pay a fine and/or the costs of the inquiry and hearing to the Association.

The decision of the Disciplinary Board can be appealed by the member within 30 days, and this appeal would be reviewed by the Board of Directors.

These procedures are in place to maintain a high level of professionalism and quality among its members and protect the public from unsafe, incompetent, or unethical practice.