Clipping Board » Medical Affairs and Administration ─ Medical system, pharmaceuticals, and medical community-related reports
United Daily News 2012/04/26
Many people with muscle and joint pain are accustomed to visiting traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinics for massage therapy to relieve discomfort. Starting next year, those seeking massage may have to pay more. The Department of Health held a meeting this morning to discuss disputes over the practice of massage therapists and resolved that massage practitioners may no longer operate at the same address as medical institutions. Those currently sharing an address may continue only until the end of this year.
The Department of Medical Affairs convened a meeting this morning titled "Discussion on Management Issues Related to Traditional Bone-Setting and Massage Practitioners," finalizing a draft of the "Guidelines for the Management of Traditional Bone-Setting and Massage Practitioners." The draft stipulates that massage practitioners must operate outside medical institutions and may not share the same address with them.
Additionally, for TCM clinics currently offering massage services, the Department of Medical Affairs has set a sunset clause, allowing them to continue only until December 31 of this year. Furthermore, the practice space and personnel flow must be clearly separated from the co-located medical institution. After the year-end deadline, such arrangements must be completely discontinued. Starting next year, massage practitioners who wish to continue working must find a separate location near the clinic, which will inevitably lead to higher massage fees. Currently, a 10-minute massage costs about NT$100. From next year onward, prices are certain to rise.
**Medical Institutions Must Employ Licensed TCM Practitioners for Massage**
Today’s meeting also resolved that bone-setting and massage practitioners may not be employed by medical institutions. Medical facilities must have licensed TCM practitioners perform TCM orthopedic massage. If massage practitioners set up shop near clinics, their signage may read "Traditional Bone-Setting and Massage." However, if they engage in illegal activities (such as medical practices) and are prosecuted, the address may no longer be used for massage services. The guidelines will take effect on May 1.
Source: http://mag. udn. com/ mag/ life/ storypage. jsp? f_ART_ID=386051#ixzz1tA2xrxOM
Massage... Gonna Cost More Soon.
Many people with muscle and joint pain are accustomed to visiting traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinics for massage therapy to relieve discomfort. Starting next year, those seeking massage may have to pay more. The Department of Health held a meeting this morning to discuss disputes over the practice of massage therapists and resolved that massage practitioners may no longer operate at the same address as medical institutions. Those currently sharing an address may continue only until the end of this year.
The Department of Medical Affairs convened a meeting this morning titled "Discussion on Management Issues Related to Traditional Bone-Setting and Massage Practitioners," finalizing a draft of the "Guidelines for the Management of Traditional Bone-Setting and Massage Practitioners." The draft stipulates that massage practitioners must operate outside medical institutions and may not share the same address with them.
Additionally, for TCM clinics currently offering massage services, the Department of Medical Affairs has set a sunset clause, allowing them to continue only until December 31 of this year. Furthermore, the practice space and personnel flow must be clearly separated from the co-located medical institution. After the year-end deadline, such arrangements must be completely discontinued. Starting next year, massage practitioners who wish to continue working must find a separate location near the clinic, which will inevitably lead to higher massage fees. Currently, a 10-minute massage costs about NT$100. From next year onward, prices are certain to rise.
**Medical Institutions Must Employ Licensed TCM Practitioners for Massage**
Today’s meeting also resolved that bone-setting and massage practitioners may not be employed by medical institutions. Medical facilities must have licensed TCM practitioners perform TCM orthopedic massage. If massage practitioners set up shop near clinics, their signage may read "Traditional Bone-Setting and Massage." However, if they engage in illegal activities (such as medical practices) and are prosecuted, the address may no longer be used for massage services. The guidelines will take effect on May 1.
Source: http://mag. udn. com/ mag/ life/ storypage. jsp? f_ART_ID=386051#ixzz1tA2xrxOM