Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct outlines the minimum standards of practice for members. This document should be considered alongside the associated Code of Ethics which identifies the ethical ideals of the profession.
Standards
1. Clinical teaching
Ensure that all patients/clients have given their informed consent before participating in a teaching process. This process requires the patient/client to have been provided with the potential risks and benefits of the treatment, and to have had an opportunity to ask questions of a practitioner.
Respect the patient’s/client’s right to withdraw consent from participating in clinical teaching at any time without compromising the practitioner-patient/client relationship or appropriate treatment.
Avoid compromising patient/client care in any teaching episode. Ensure that the patient’s/client’s dignity is maintained and that the best available therapy is provided.
Where relevant to clinical care, ensure that it is the treating practitioner who imparts feedback to thepatient/ client.
Do not exploit students or colleagues under your supervision in any way.
2. The Practitioner and the patient/client
Practice the art and science of MTQ to your full ability.
Put the health of the patient/client before all other considerations.
Respect the principles of informed consent.
Following a thorough health screening by qualified health professionals, discuss treatment goals with the patient/client and ensure that the MTQ Instructor’s goals coincide with the patient’s/client’s goals.
In a group practice, recognize a patient’s/client’s right to consult the practitioner of their choice.
Practice only within the scope of practice determined by the MQT Instructor’squalifications and experience.
At no time shall iMTQA members advise patients to cease the usual medical care that is prescribed by a medical professional.
Refer the patient/client to another suitably qualified practitioner when a patient/client requires care which is outside of your scope of practice.
Undertake life-long continuing professional education to improve your professional skills.
Respect the principles of confidentiality of personal information.
3. Record keeping for individual patient/client visit
Maintain accurate, legible and current clinical records of each visit.
As a minimum, each clinical patient/client record must be labelled with the patient/client’s identifyingdetails and:
- relevant health history, including details of presenting condition(s);
- the date of each service;
- the details of each service rendered, including
- any advice or instructions given
- details of any referrals made;
- the outcome of treatment and/or progress noted; and
- details of any telephone or other non-face-to-face consultations.
Provide a report of the patient/client’s treatment and progress to another health practitioner where requested by the patient/client.
4. The practitioner and the profession
Build a professional reputation based on ethical conduct and professional competence.
Comply with the association’s policies, procedures, regulations and articles of association.
Maintain Professional Indemnity Insurance at the level required by the Association.
Maintain First Aid skills at the level required by the Association.
Comply fully with all laws and regulations governing the practice of MTQ in your state, province and country.
If you are entitled by way of professional convention or qualification to use the title Doctor, you are not permitted to hold or give the impression that you are a medical practitioner unless you are registered as a medical practitioner in your state, province or country.
5. Advertising and the media
Ensure that all advertisements are accurate to the best of your knowledge and belief.
Advertising should not denigrate, belittle or bring into disrepute any other person, profession or treatment.
Do not use testimonials in advertisements.
When communicating with the media do not hold yourself out to represent the Association, or its position on an issue, unless you are explicitly authorized by the Association to do so.
Do not make therapeutic claims on your advertisements or website unless you hold the appropriate evidence to support this. Evidence should be a systematic review within the last five years, or at the very least, two randomized controlled trials. Cherry-picking of positive trials while ignoring negative trials is not permitted.
6. Referral to other practitioners
Communicate and co-operate with colleagues and other health care practitioners and agencies in the best interests of your patient/client and the community, and in a respectful way.
Obtain the opinion of an appropriate colleague acceptable to your patient/client if a diagnosis or treatment is difficult or obscure, or in response to a reasonable request from your patient/client.
When another health practitioner has requested an opinion, report in detail your findings to the referring practitioner.
7. Professional independence
You must safeguard your professional independence and integrity from demands from society, third parties,individual patient/clients and government.
Refrain from entering into any contract which may conflict with your professional integrity, clinical independence or duty of care to your patient/client.
8. The practitioner and the community
When presenting any personal opinion which is contrary to the generally held opinion of the profession, indicate that this is the case.
Take opportunities within your capacity to promote the role and benefits of MTQ in your community.
Make available your special knowledge and skills to assist those responsible for the allocation of health resources.
When it is suspected that an adverse reaction has occurred as a result of a prescribed MTQ, communicate this to the appropriate authority and inform the Association.
9. Practitioner wellbeing
Take all necessary steps to maintain your own physical and mental wellbeing.
If you become impaired due to physical or mental ill-health, do not continue to provide MTQ, seek medical help and advise the Association immediately.