The legal vacuum in which osteopathy finds itself is detrimental to osteopaths and Quebecers who have recourse to their expertise.
Posted at 12:00 p.m.
The legal framework for osteopathy is dragging on, to say the least. It has been the subject of work, consultations and analyzes for 30 years, but despite repeated requests from the osteopathic community and the recent positive opinion of the Office des professions du Québec, the Government of Quebec is treading water regarding the creation of a professional order of osteopaths. However, it is a question of protecting the public!
The time for consultations, opinions and committees is over. The government can no longer sustain undue bureaucratic delays. It is his duty, and that of the Minister responsible for the application of professional laws, Danielle McCann, to ensure the protection of the public, and this inexorably involves the creation of a professional order of osteopaths.
Osteopathy is well established in Quebec. Osteopaths work in interdisciplinarity and their practice is recognized within the population. More than 2 million sessions are given each year and 25% of adult Quebecers have already consulted in osteopathy. Moreover, the government’s recognition of osteopathy as an essential service at the height of the pandemic crisis testifies to the contribution of the profession to the provision of front-line health services.
Frankly, it is not normal that a health service recognized by the population and reimbursed by insurers is not supervised.
It is unacceptable that osteopathic practice and training are not yet inspected or legally regulated, despite the fact that Ostéopathie Québec has been sounding the alarm for years in the name of public protection.
It is also absurd that a professional association like Ostéopathie Québec has to compensate for the duty of the government by putting in place mechanisms – imperfect, for lack of anything better – for the protection of the public (trustee, reference framework of skills, certification of training, etc. ).
If there is one thing that the pandemic has demonstrated, it is the importance of acting quickly to support medical and paramedical services and, above all, of not letting issues that could be harmful to the health of the population.
It is irresponsible of the government to let more than 2,500 osteopaths practice under the threat of lawsuits, formal notices and intimidation from professional orders related to osteopathy.
Some osteopaths have even reacted to this form of intimidation by reducing or even ceasing their practice, despite the fragility of the health system and the place of osteopathic treatments in the supply of care.
It is astonishing that this state of affairs is the result of government inaction and the maintenance, whether voluntary or not, of the legal impasse as confirmed in a 2019 judgment of the Superior Court.
It is high time for the government of Quebec to assume its responsibilities by finally and quickly creating a professional order of osteopaths. This is not only about the quality of osteopathic services, but also about the health and well-being of the Quebec population.