GMS (Group Medical Services) Paramedical Association Information Form

Website #

www.acma-association.com

Contact #

Key contact: Dr. Sylvain Desforges, president
Supporting contact: Natalie Crevier, treasurer

Board of Directors #

Supply a full list of names, membership number and practicing address (if applicable) of all members of the board
Dr. Sylvain Desforges, President; Natalie Crevier, treasurer; Sophie Desforges, Secretary

Address #

Address of the Association head office

1375 Normandie Avenue, Mascouche, Quebec, J7L 0A3

Membership total #

502 (updated on 05/25/2023)

Years of the existence of the association #

Since 2008

Types of Memberships #

What types of membership classifications do you have? osteopath

Detail the classifications & the requirements they must meet for this classification.

1. Pass a mandatory entrance exam that includes questions related to the ACMA Code of Ethics and our complaints management process. This review ensures that the practitioner understands and adheres to the ethical and professional standards we expect from our members.
2. Maintain active professional liability insurance, with a minimum coverage of one million dollars per claim and a total of three million dollars for all claims occurring during the term of the policy. This insurance guarantees financial protection for both the practitioner and his patients in the event of legal proceedings.
3. Commit to participating in a continuing education program and accumulate at least 30 hours of continuing education specifically related to the practice of their profession over a two-year reference period. This requirement ensures that our members keep their skills up to date and continue to deepen their knowledge in their field.
4. Commit to the ACMA Code of Ethics and adhere to the Association’s Standards of Professional Practice. This commitment ensures that all our members adhere to a common set of values and ethical standards in the practice of their profession.
5. To ensure they receive all important information and updates from the association, practitioners must register on the ACMA group page on Facebook. This registration guarantees constant and effective communication between the association and its members.
6. Provide proof of their professional qualification, including all relevant diplomas and transcripts. This allows us to verify the practitioner’s training and ensure that they have received the appropriate education for the practice of osteopathy.

Detail the various statuses and their meaning within the Association’s registry

Active or inactive members

Requirements to pre-qualify as eligible members #

What are the minimum education requirements to be accepted as a member of the association?

To become a member of the ACMA Association, we align ourselves with the educational standards defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its 2010 document “Benchmarks for Training in Osteopathy”. In line with these standards, we require that a candidate has completed a rigorous and comprehensive Type II osteopathy program. This program must include a minimum of 2000 hours of training, including at least 1000 hours of supervised clinical training, or its equivalent. This supervised clinical training ensures that our members gain extensive practical experience to complement their theoretical training.

In addition to these initial requirements, the ACMA imposes an obligation of continuing education on all its members. Each member must accumulate a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education, specifically related to the practice of their profession, over a biennial reference period. This requirement ensures that our members remain at the forefront of the latest advances, techniques and best practices in osteopathy, enabling them to provide the best possible care to their patients.

Do you require that a prospective member successfully pass an exam as part of their membership? Yes

If yes, what type of exam is it? i.e. Entry to Practice Exam or Competency Exam or other name?

Indeed, to join the association, the practitioner is required to pass a preliminary examination. This examination is essential to assess the practitioner’s knowledge and competence in the relevant areas of his or her practice. The review has specific sections that cover the association’s code of ethics and complaint process, to ensure that the practitioner is knowledgeable and can adhere to ACMA’s ethical standards and practices. In this way, the association strives to maintain a high level of professionalism and quality among its members.

Who administers the exam?

The examination is administered online via the ACMA Association’s website (www.acma-association.com).

Does the exam include both written and practical components?

The examination consists solely of a written component, there are no practical components to this exam.

If the prospective member has less than the minimum education/training hours requirement could they still be accepted?

If a prospective member has less than the minimum education or training hours required, they would not be accepted into the association. It’s crucial for members to fulfill the mandatory requirements to ensure they possess the necessary skills and knowledge in their field.

If so, are there any other criteria you enforce to compensate for less education? E.g grandfathering, compensatory education (detail all)
What are the additional requirements?

In cases where the required minimum education or training hours are not met, no compensation or alternative criteria are enforced. It is essential for the prospective member to meet all education and training standards in order to ensure the high quality and professionalism expected within our association. This includes completing the mandatory education/training hours as well as passing the preliminary examination, which assesses the individual’s knowledge and competency in the relevant areas of their practice. There are no provisions such as grandfathering or compensatory education offered to compensate for less education.

List of all schools recognized/accredited by the Association #

Is a continuing education (CE) program in place, if yes please provide more details ?

To ensure a high level of competence and expertise among its members, ACMA requires its members to devote themselves to a continuing education program. The objective of this program is to enable members to acquire, maintain, renew, improve, deepen and perfect their knowledge, know-how and professional skills, directly related to the practice of osteopathy.

1. Hours requirement: All ACMA members must complete a continuing education program and accumulate at least 30 hours of continuing education per two-year reference period. This requirement is intended to ensure that our members stay abreast of the latest research and techniques in the field of osteopathy.
2. Relevance of the topic: Training activities must be strictly related to the professional practice of osteopathy. This may include, but is not limited to, new treatment methods, new research in osteopathy, advances in anatomy and physiology, best practices in patient care, professional ethics, and the management of osteopathic practice.
3. Pre-approval: All continuing education activities must be pre-approved by ACMA. This ensures that the training is of an appropriate standard, is provided by a qualified trainer, and is relevant to the practice of osteopathy.

By complying with these continuing education requirements, our members demonstrate their commitment to professionalism, excellence in patient care, and continuous improvement of their osteopathic skills and knowledge.

School name, address, phone #:

To identify schools and training programs that meet ACMA’s membership requirements, you can consult the official list provided by the association on their website. This list, accessible at the address “www.acma-association.com/list-of-accredited-schools-of-osteopathy/“, presents all schools of osteopathy accredited by the ACMA. These institutions have been recognized for the quality of their teaching and their programs conform to the training standards established by the association. This recognition ensures that graduates of these schools are well prepared and possess the necessary skills to practice in accordance with ACMA’s principles and standards.

Identify any schools in the list that are affiliated with the Association

None of the schools or training programs recognized by ACMA are affiliated directly with the association or linked to any of its directors. They are recognized solely on the basis of the quality of their teaching and their compliance with the association’s training standards. This independence ensures objective and fair evaluation of programs, ensuring that ACMA approval is a reliable indicator of academic and professional excellence.

Scope of practice #

The scope of practice for osteopaths who are members of the ACMA encompasses a wide range of areas. Osteopaths apply the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and biomechanics in their practice. They are involved in the comprehensive care of their patients, emphasizing the structural and functional integrity of the body. Here are some components of their practice:

1. Patient Assessment: Osteopaths perform a thorough assessment of the patient which includes taking a detailed medical history, performing a physical examination, and, if necessary, ordering laboratory tests or imaging studies. This assessment helps them in making an accurate diagnosis.
2. Treatment: Osteopaths provide treatment that aims to improve the function of the body by restoring movement and reducing pain. This is achieved through manual techniques such as soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilization, and stretching exercises. They also provide advice on posture, exercise, diet, and lifestyle to support the recovery and overall health of their patients.
3. Prevention: A significant part of osteopathy involves preventing health issues from occurring or reoccurring. This includes advising patients on self-care strategies and lifestyle changes that can help maintain their health and prevent the onset of illness.
4. Collaboration: Osteopaths often collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure that their patients receive the best possible care. This may include referring patients to other specialists or integrating their treatment with other therapies.

It’s important to note that the specific scope of practice may vary depending on the local regulations and laws pertaining to osteopathy in the region where the osteopath practices.

Code of Ethics #

requiring proper upkeep of treatments, visits, compliance practices etc

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/

Disciplinary process #

Complaint review process in place. Disciplinary Committee to conduct fair investigation process / timely process to render decision

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.

The outcome of disciplinary proceedings within the ACMA is well communicated to the public. To ensure transparency and public information, decisions resulting from disciplinary proceedings are published on the association’s website. This process allows patients, other practitioners and anyone interested to be informed of the steps taken by the association to ensure that its members meet professional and ethical standards. See the results of the surveys here: www.acma-association.com/fr/formulaire-de-plainte/#Jugements

Ongoing upkeep of a reliable Registry, with periodic updates & revokes #

Our Association of Canadian Manual Osteopaths (ACMA) maintains a comprehensive and up-to-date online directory of all our members, ensuring transparency and ease of access for the public and other stakeholders. This directory can be accessed at any time via our official website through the following link: www.acma-association.com/verify-a-member/

This online listing allows anyone to verify the membership status of an osteopath, providing assurance about the practitioner’s standing with our association and their adherence to our standards of practice and code of ethics. Our database is updated daily.

Registry accessible to the public (preference via the WEB) #

www.acma-association.com/verify-a-member/