How to File a Complaint

Complaints Process Overview

The British Columbia Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (BCAOMP) is committed to safeguarding the public's right to safe, effective, and ethical manual osteopathic care. The association provides a well-defined process to address complaints and concerns raised by patients or insurers.

Contacting BCAOMP

If you have a complaint or concern, you can contact BCAOMP through phone or written communication. Complaints must be filed in writing, as BCAOMP cannot accept complaints via email due to privacy concerns.

Required Information

Complaints should include the following information to assist in the investigation:

Your name and contact information (mailing address and phone number)
The name of the manual osteopath involved
Detailed information about your concerns or the incident(s) in question, including dates and names of individuals involved or witnesses.

Types of Complaints

Patients or insurers can raise complaints covering various aspects of manual osteopathic care, including but not limited to:

Verbal, physical, psychological, emotional, or sexual abuse
Lack of informed consent for treatment
Misinformation or lack of information regarding treatment
Providing unnecessary or excessive treatment
Incompetent practice resulting in harm
Discontinuing needed care without arranging alternative services
Unauthorized disclosure of patient information
Failing to refer patients to appropriate healthcare professionals when necessary
Lack of fee structure transparency in advertising
Misleading advertising.

The Complaints Process

BCAOMP receives the complaint in writing.
The manual osteopath involved is provided with a copy of the complaint and an opportunity to respond.
BCAOMP conducts a fair and thorough investigation.

Decision and Actions

BCAOMP issues a written decision based on the investigation’s results.
Possible actions include:
- Referring allegations of professional misconduct or incompetence to the Discipline Committee.
- Requiring the member to appear before BCAOMP to receive a caution.
- Taking any other appropriate action consistent with BCAOMP regulations and by-laws.

The Discipline Process

The Discipline Committee makes final decisions based on the evidence presented and imposes penalties,including reprimands, fines, suspension of licenses and, in serious cases, revocation of licenses. The maximum penalty the Discipline Committee may impose is revocation of a licence with no possibility of reinstatement for five years. Discipline decisions, except for findings of sexual abuse, remain on the public register for six years. Sexual abuse findings remain on the public register permanently. If a former member moves to another jurisdiction, BCAOMP will not provide that member with a letter of good standing if there is a discipline finding against him/her.