This professional code of conduct is an integrated part of MassageBlind's statutes.
The Swiss Association of Visually Impaired and Blind Medical Massage Therapists summarizes the most important ethical values and standards that apply to therapists with federal certification.
1. Respect for the client as an individual
- The primary goals of therapeutic work are the health and well-being of the clients.
- As a therapist, I respect and take into account the social, ethnic and religious background of my clients without prejudice.
- I respect the rights and dignity of my clients, especially their right to self-determination.
- As a therapist, I have a special duty of care towards children, young people and other immature people.
2. Professionalism in the relationship with the patient
- As a therapist, I inform my clients about the possibilities and limitations of my treatment methods as well as possible risks and side effects. Together with the client, I determine the treatment goal and a treatment plan.
- I answer my clients' questions and do not pressure them into treatment.
- Before treatment begins, I inform clients about the costs of the treatment and talk to them about insurance benefits, cost vouchers and payment modalities.
- As a therapist, I am aware of my clients' dependency and the risk of abuse of my professional position. I refrain from any form of relationships that may arise from the special therapeutic dependency relationship. If there is too much personal proximity that could influence judgment and objectivity, I will pass the treatment on to a colleague.
- I generally treat according to the criteria of “effectiveness, practicality and cost-effectiveness”. I will end the treatment when the treatment goals have been achieved or the options for my treatment have been exhausted, even if there is still a cost voucher for further treatments.
- As a therapist, I make no promises of healing.
- Sexual intentions, advances or assaults are not tolerated.
3. Interdisciplinary collaboration
- I respect conventional medicine and other empirical medical methods and I am willing to work with other specialists or refer clients to them if necessary.
- I take medical diagnoses into account and include them in the treatment.
4. Critical reflection on professional competence
- As a therapist, I do not use treatment methods for which I am not trained or which I have not proven to have mastered.
- I know the limits of my professional qualifications and competence. If the symptoms do not improve or if a serious illness is suspected, I recommend that my clients seek conventional medical help.
- As a therapist, I carry out therapeutic work to the best of my knowledge and belief. I maintain and promote my own knowledge and skills through regular training and further education.
- I do not in any way suggest to clients that I have a higher level of training or recognition than what I have actually achieved.
5. Confidentiality, data protection, obligation to provide information and client documentation
- As a therapist, I maintain confidentiality regarding all matters relating to my clients.
- I ensure that all of my clients' data is protected from unauthorized access.
- I keep complete client documentation appropriate to the treatment and allow clients to view these documents upon request. This right of inspection also exists after the treatment has been completed.
- I only give third parties access to the client documentation with the express consent of the client. If I am required by law to provide information, I will inform the client in advance.
- If, due to special circumstances, the client's prior consent cannot be obtained and there is no apparent desire for confidentiality, I can assume that consent is given to the next of relatives.
6. Invoicing
- I provide a detailed and transparent invoice for the treatments carried out. In addition to the date and duration, the invoice also shows the type of treatment (exact name of the method/treatment).
- As a general rule, I only bill for therapies that serve to treat complaints or illnesses. I identify activities in the areas of prevention and wellness as such and issue a separate invoice for them. I also clearly declare whether it is an illness or an accident.
- As a general rule, I only bill for treatments that I personally carry out.
- If I treat close relatives such as parents, children or siblings, I expressly point out to them that they must obtain a cost approval from the insurer before treatment.
7. Legal Compliance
- I always have all the permits and approvals necessary for my therapeutic work.
- I comply with the law applicable to my work. I will clarify any uncertainties immediately with the responsible authorities or the association.
8. Entry into force
- This professional code comes into force on 01/01/2016.