Oncology massage: Intake and informed consent

Informed consent really needs to be informed.

A simple check mark beside 'cancer' on a health history form doesn't do justice to the range and depth of information a massage therapist needs to undertake the most basic intake requirement: Informed consent

Before true consent can be provided, both the therapist and the patient need to be informed.

And, the onus is on us, the massage therapist, to ensure that we have sufficient knowledge of:

·      our client’s current health status

·      what cancer treatments they are receiving, or have received

·      how side effects can determine contraindications or precautions

·      their treatment goals

·      whether or not these treatment goals can be met in the current session, or if they need to be addressed in future sessions

It is not enough to ‘hope it works out’.  Be safe, be informed.  Your clients will know that you have gone the extra mile to provide massage adapted for their unique needs. 

Do you need an oncology massage intake form

adapted for clients with cancer?

Download a free form here.