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What's Happening at the RMTAO
Advocacy Update
 Prometric
Recently I became aware that there was a delay in the release of OSCE results from Prometric which has caused a great deal of concern and frustration for our student members.
Both CMTO and Prometric have responded my inquiries for clarification and to get this issue resolved. This year, the process of gathering data for several weeks prior to releasing OSCE results, which is normally done only once at the beginning of the test year, had to be completed twice due to the expanded number of case scenarios developed for the higher volume of OSCE candidates in 2021. This has resulted in a delay in releasing scores for candidates taking the exam in May and June that wouldn’t normally occur.
Because the number of candidates in May/June was lower than anticipated, more time is needed in August to gather the required data to finalize the scores. Prometric has confirmed that they will not push back the release date again. They have also let us know that more information will be added to their website so that candidates can better understand the reason for the delay in releasing scores.
Each OSCE item requires a minimum number of candidate views and data before a cut score can be set. For the last year and a half the pandemic has made it difficult to achieve the required volume needed to confirm the cut scores. With that said, the volume requirements will be met the second week of August, the cut score meetings are set early the week of the 16th, and the scores will be released by August 20th. This date will not be pushed back again.
Going forward, after the release of the scores on August 20th, all OSCE results will be released on the Friday after the exam administration. All information will be released directing candidates to the website,
CMTO Registrant Portal
As you would have been informed recently, the CMTO updated their Public Register as well as their Registrant Portal. I have been getting a fair amount of feedback about revisions made to the CMTO Registrant Portal and changes as to how people are to access their portal.
This includes a 2-step verification process and a number of issues have surfaced with that process. I have reached out to the CMTO with the goal of working with them to ensure that things run smoothly with the updated site.I also encourage you to review the information the CMTO recently sent to ensure you understand the new processes.
I would like to encourage members to email me directly at michael@rmtao.com with any challenges or thoughts you might have on how the site is working. The more information we have the more we can be of assistance in getting this resolved quickly.
CMTO Website Update
The CMTO recently updated the public register and registrant portal, and digitized several forms to make it easier for RMTs to submit information to the College, and for individuals to file complaints and mandatory reports. Changes include:
Changes to the Public Register
Gender
Before, an RMT’s gender was displayed on the public register as "male" or "female". Now, RMTs will have the choice to identify their gender as:
- "M" (generally associated with male);
- "F" (generally associated with female); or
- "X" (not directly associated with male or female, including but not limited to Trans, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary, and/or Binary people.
"Authorized to Practise"/ "Not Authorized to Practise"
Any RMT currently authorized to practise Massage Therapy in Ontario will show as "Yes" under a new "Authorized to Practise" section of the public register. RMTs may be listed as not authorized to practise for several reasons (e.g., suspended, revoked, holding an Inactive Certificate of Registration) and will show as "No" under that same section.
New Public Register Alerts
Information about practice concern(s) related to an RMT will appear under the new public register alert. These alerts may include details about an RMT’s current practice restrictions, investigation or disciplinary matters, or findings of guilt by a criminal court.
Other Changes
There have also been changes to the registrant portal. RMTs are able to update and access all of their information online. When logging into the new registrant portal, RMTs will need to reactivate their profile by clicking "Activate now". Online forms are now available in the registrant portal to deal with processes such as name and class changes and updating practice information.
The CMTO has also moved their complaint and mandatory reporting forms to a digital format.
Read more...
Social Media Toolkit
The RMTAO offers members a Social Media Toolkit, outlining tips and tricks for Registered Massage Therapists using social media to promote their practices, as well as suggestions for what to post and what not to post.
This is just one of the many practical resources available to RMTAO members to help build a successful practice.
Download the Social Media Toolkit
Program Spotlight - ClinicSense
ClinicSense has a variety of features to help you manage your practice digitally, and offers RMTAO members exclusive discounts!
ClinicSense includes options for digital SOAP notes, online scheduling, intake forms and reports. ClinicSense also includes text and email reminders, invoicing and payment options, gift certificates and email marketing tools.
You can try ClinicSense for free for 14 days to make sure it's the right software for you.
Read more about ClinicSense
RMTAO Research Webinar
The RMTAO will be offering a new webinar to help our members better understand massage therapy research.
This webinar will be presented by Ruth Werner on September 15 at 11 a.m.
This webinar will will cover some current massage therapy research findings and events; some basic information on how to find the research you want, and apply it to your practice; and finally we will discuss what you can do in the research world: writing case reports that can benefit the whole profession and feed into future research.
Space is limited so register online now
Adventures from Karen's Clinic
Member Question of the Week
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Do I still have to have 30 minutes between each patient due to COVID-19?
The CMTO never required a specific amount of time between patients. Many people chose to have 30 minutes between patients due to the time needed for cleaning and disinfecting.
However, the only requirement is to ensure that you complete all of the requirements outlined in the COVID-19 Pandemic – Practice Guidance for Massage Therapists.
After each appointment RMTs must thoroughly wash their hands (including forearms and elbows) with soap and
water after each treatment, and before and after disinfecting, clean and disinfect anything used during the appointment, and document all new procedures related to the client in the client health record, including but not limited to screening dates and results, PPE used during treatment and any modifications to treatment.
As long as you complete all of these requirements between patients, there is no particular time requirement between patients.
Do you have a question? Email info@rmtao.com
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Business Tip of the Week
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How to Support an Employee Who Has Chronic Pain
Do you know if any of your employees experience chronic pain? Chronic pain is increasingly common but it can be difficult to talk about, especially at work. As a manager, you need to be ready to listen, have a conversation, and support your employees — while not pressuring anyone into disclosing medical information they’re not comfortable sharing. If you’re unsure of how to help, that’s OK: you can simply start by asking what they need from you and the organization, assuring them that you value their health and safety above all. Be prepared to offer flexible work arrangements that accommodate their physical needs, and direct them to any resources your company may offer to people experiencing chronic health conditions. And if you’re unsure of what resources are available, you can always ask HR and get back to your employee. Chronic pain is a complex issue with biological, social, and psychological elements; effective leadership in this context — and in most contexts — ultimately comes down to listening to and learning from employees.
Adapted from “When Someone on Your Team Has Chronic Pain,” by Duygu Biricik Gulseren et al.
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Research Article of the Week
Absence from work and return to work in people with back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: A considerable proportion of work absence is attributed to back pain, however prospective studies in working populations with back pain are variable in setting and design, and a quantitative summary of current evidence is lacking.
Objective: To investigate the extent to which differences in setting, country, sampling procedures and methods for data collection are responsible for variation in estimates of work absence and return to work.
Methods: Systematic searches of seven bibliographic databases. Inclusion criteria were: adults in paid employment, with back pain, work absence or return to work during follow-up had been reported. Random effects meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis was carried out to provide summary estimates of work absence and return to work rates.
Results: 45 studies were identified for inclusion in the review; 34 were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled estimate for the occurrence of work absence in workers with back pain was 15.5% (95% CI 9.8% to 23.6%, n=17 studies, I(2) 98.1%) in studies with follow-up periods of ≤6 months. The pooled estimate for the proportion of people with back pain returning to work was 68.2% (95% CI 54.8% to 79.1%, n=13, I(2) 99.2%), 85.6% (95% CI 78.2% to 90.7%, n=13, I(2) 98.7%) and 93.3% (95% CI 84.0% to 94.7%, n=10, I(2) 99%), at 1 month, 1-6 months and ≥6 months, respectively. Differences in setting, risk of participation bias and method of assessing work absence explained some of the heterogeneity.
Conclusions: Pooled estimates suggest high return to work rates, with wide variation in estimates of return to work only partly explained by a priori defined study-level variables. The estimated 32% not back at work at 1 month are at a crucial point for intervention to prevent long term work absence.
Wynne-Jones, G., Cowen, J., Jordan, J. L., Uthman, O., Main, C. J., Glozier, N., & van der Windt, D. (2014). Absence from work and return to work in people with back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Occupational and environmental medicine, 71(6), 448–456.
Read the full article...
The Learning Curve - The RMTAO Education Series
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The Learning Curve - The RMTAO Education Series
The Learning Curve provides education to massage therapists in a variety of hands-on workshops and lecture-based seminars across Ontario focused on three main areas-Competency, Business, and Modality. The Continuing Education Program is designed to help massage therapists increase their knowledge base to continuously improve for both their own personal success and that of the client.
Click here for more information about the courses that are offered by the RMTAO.
Sexual Harassment in the Treatment Room
September 8, 2021 - Online Webinar
Make Research Relevant to Me
September 15, 2021 - Online Webinar
Headaches and Migraines can be a pain in the neck!
September 29, 2021 - Online Webinar
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Upcoming Community Networks and Related Activities
The RMTAO has created a feature on RMTAO.com for Community Networks. Members and non-members can access information about the latest upcoming network activities on our list of upcoming events! Don't see a Community Based Network near you? You can contact Angela Paton at angela@rmtao.com to learn more about starting one.
Hamilton CBN Meeting
Date: , August 4, 2021
Time: 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Topic: TBD. For any suggestions, contact Radha Rampersaud
RSVP: Contact Radha Rampersaud to RSVP or provide any topic suggestions rrampersaud1964@gmail.com or call at (905) 630-2907
Durham Region CBN Meeting
Date: , August 9, 2021
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Topic: “get to-know the group”, new Standards of Practice, how to find new RMTs to hire.
RSVP: Catherine Roe, cate.roe1@gmail.com for meeting information
London CBN Meeting
Date: September 5, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Topic: Monthly chat for RMTs, grads and students, you don't have to be a RMTAO member. Feel free to add topics or ask questions in the comments ahead of time. You don't have to be from the London area. You are welcome to lurk, no-one is put on the spot, video optional.
We'll catch up on RMTAO and CMTO news, upcoming & past courses, brains-trust for anyone who needs support/ideas/guidance, plus anything anyone wants to raise.
Meeting info: Google Meet https://meet.google.com/puy-rzrd-nsm
RSVP: Dani Faucher, danifaucher.rmt@gmail.com
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