•Federal Policy for CAM services:
•Factors that influence third-party payers to include selected CAM in health care policies include cost-effectiveness, consumer demand, demonstrated clinical efficacy, and state mandates. (Reed, K. et al., 2005)
•OTs may utilize CAM in treatment when used as preparatory methods or purposeful activities to facilitate the ability of clients to engage in their daily life occupations. (Reed, K. et al., 2005)
•CAM techniques used within the scope of occupational therapy practice may require additional training, competency examinations, certification, and regulatory knowledge. (Reed, K. et al., 2005)
•Use of specific CAM techniques may be subject to federal, state and often local municipal regulations that govern practice, advertising, ethics, professional terminology, and training. (Reed, K. et al., 2005)
•OTs responsibility to know and comply with applicable laws and regulations associated with CAM techniques, as well as those mandated for the OT profession (Commission on Practice, 2003) (Giese, 2005)
•OTs must abide by state regulations when billing for OT services that incorporate the use of CAMs (Commission on Practice, 2003) (Giese, 2005)
•OTs must distinguish between when they are using CAMs within the scope of OT practice and when they are using CAMs as a primary approach beyond the scope of OT practice. (Commission on Practice, 2003) (Giese, 2005)
•Use of CAMs requires attention to client safety in consumer decision making, client interventions, and professional education and training. (Commission on Practice, 2003) (Giese, 2005)
•Risks and benefits of CAMs used in OT should be communicated to clients as standard practice in a client-centered, evidence based approach to care. (Commission on Practice, 2003) (Giese, 2005)
•OTs may utilize CAM in treatment when used as preparatory methods or purposeful activities to facilitate the ability of clients to engage in their daily life occupations. (Reed, K. et al., 2005)
•CAM techniques used within the scope of occupational therapy practice may require additional training, competency examinations, certification, and regulatory knowledge. (Reed, K. et al., 2005)
•Use of specific CAM techniques may be subject to federal, state and often local municipal regulations that govern practice, advertising, ethics, professional terminology, and training. (Reed, K. et al., 2005)
•OTs responsibility to know and comply with applicable laws and regulations associated with CAM techniques, as well as those mandated for the OT profession (Commission on Practice, 2003) (Giese, 2005)
•OTs must abide by state regulations when billing for OT services that incorporate the use of CAMs (Commission on Practice, 2003) (Giese, 2005)
•OTs must distinguish between when they are using CAMs within the scope of OT practice and when they are using CAMs as a primary approach beyond the scope of OT practice. (Commission on Practice, 2003) (Giese, 2005)
•Use of CAMs requires attention to client safety in consumer decision making, client interventions, and professional education and training. (Commission on Practice, 2003) (Giese, 2005)
•Risks and benefits of CAMs used in OT should be communicated to clients as standard practice in a client-centered, evidence based approach to care. (Commission on Practice, 2003) (Giese, 2005)
Standardizing CAM on a Federal level:
The White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine have proposed that there be a centrally located federal CAM office in order to properly standardize CAM on a federal level. This office would include the full range of CAM perspectives and would guide policy formulation and implementation.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities:
- Coordinating Federal CAM activities
- Serving as a Federal CAM policy liaison with conventional health care and CAM professionals, organizations, educational institutions, and commercial ventures
- Planning, facilitating, and convening conferences, workshops, and advisory groups
- Acting as a centralized Federal point of contact for CAM for the public, CAM practitioners, conventional health care providers, and the media
- Facilitating implementation of the recommendations and actions of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy
- Exploring additional and emerging topics not included in the Commission's Executive Order.