Hospital based massage therapy specific competencies

Area of Science:

• Integrative Health
• Healthcare Practice

Background:

• Massage therapy is increasingly used in hospitals.
• Inpatient settings present unique challenges compared to spas or private offices.
• Acute care requires adapting massage protocols for diverse patient conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the need for specific competencies in hospital-based massage therapy (HBMT).
• To develop peer-reviewed competencies for HBMT practitioners, educators, and hospital staff.

Main Methods:

• The Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health (ACIH) formed an HBMT Task Force.
• A survey was distributed to identify HBMT programs and assess program elements.
• A Delphi technique was used with experts to refine drafted competencies.

Main Results:

• 87% of surveyed hospitals completed the survey, indicating strong engagement.
• Survey responses and in-depth answers confirmed the need for specific HBMT competencies.
• The Delphi technique helped shape the initial draft of competencies.

Conclusions:

• There is a clear need for specialized competencies for safe and effective hospital-based massage therapy.
• The developed competencies will be shared for further refinement and implementation.
• Ongoing development is expected as competencies are adopted by various stakeholders.