For Public
Practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is different from that of Western medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine has existed for thousands of years and has since developed a unique system of diagnosis and treatment different from Western medicine.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006 defines the scope of traditional Chinese medicine as follows:
“3. The practice of traditional Chinese medicine is the assessment of body system disorders through traditional Chinese medicine techniques and treatment using traditional Chinese medicine therapies to promote, maintain or restore health.”
TCM views the body as a whole and takes into consideration its place in the universe. Treatment is not based only on the symptoms manifested in a patient, but also on differentiation of syndromes. The typical TCM treatment modalities include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Qi-gong (therapeutic exercise), Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) and dietary therapy.
The article on “Introduction to TCM” posted on the website of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia www.ctcma.bc.ca explains in more detail the practice of TCM.
The government recognizes the need to regulate TCM practice in Ontario.
The Ontario government recognizes the importance of TCM professionals in providing complementary and alternative healthcare to Ontarians. To ensure that the public is not harmed by unqualified, incompetent, unethical practitioners, the government, in 2006, gave approval to having the TCM professionals regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. The same law that currently governs 23 other regulated health professionals such as physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists….
Through the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006, the government authorizes the TC-CTCMPAO to develop the necessary regulations to register qualified, competent and ethical practitioners. As soon as the draft regulations are approved by government, the public can bring concerns of a registered “TCM practitioner” and/or “Acupuncturist” to the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) for investigation and, where appropriate, disciplinary action.
The CTCMPAO will set standards to improve patient safety.
The CTCMPAO is responsible and has the legal authority to protect the public by:
- Setting entry requirements and registering practitioners qualified to practice;
- Monitoring and maintaining standards of practice;
- Developing programs to help registered members continually improve their competency to offer quality care;
- Investigating complaints on registered members on behalf of the public; and
- Conducting discipline hearings where necessary to deal with individual members who may be incompetent or have committed an act of professional misconduct.
The CTCMPAO’s mandate is to serve and protect the public.
The CTCMPAO is to be the 22nd health regulatory colleges authorized by the Ontario government under the Regulated Health Professions Act. It has a mandatory duty to serve and protect the interest of the public by regulating the practice of traditional Chinese medicine.
It is not a school that offers educational programs. Neither is it an association that advocates and promotes the interest of its members.
Please visit the Federation of Health Regulatory Colleges of Ontario website: www.regulatedhealthprofessions.on.ca to learn more about the health regulatory colleges in Ontario.
