Privacy Policy
Privacy at a glance
The provision of safe and quality osteopathic care is our principal concern. This requires a strong relationship between the osteopath and the patient based on trust and confidentiality.
Your osteopath regards your health information as confidential. Your personal information is handled in accordance with the practice’s privacy policy and is consistent with Commonwealth and State/Territory law.
You are entitled to know what personal information is held about you; how and under what circumstances it may be disclosed; when consent is required for these purposes; and how it is stored.
We will discuss these matters with you at the time your health information is collected while attending this practice.
Clinical records are stored and transmitted securely and safeguarded against loss or damage.
Access to your information
You have the right to access your information. You may ask to view the information or ask for a copy of a part or of the whole record. You are not required to give reasons, but you may be asked to clarify the scope of the request.
Often a request will need to be in writing. Access to some information may be limited in some circumstances, but in such an event we will advise you of the reasons.
At your request, your health information held by this practice will be made available to another health service provider.
Under the Privacy Principles, the practice may charge a fee if it incurs costs in providing access, particularly if records need to be copied. Typically, it’s about $25 but may be higher for larger files.
If you find that the information held is not accurate or complete, you may have that information amended accordingly.
Parents/guardians and children
Although this may surprise some parents, privacy laws apply to children as well as adults. Under the Privacy Guidelines, a child’s right to privacy of their health information may at times restrict access by parents/guardians to that same information.
Collection, use, and disclosure of your health information
Osteopaths must keep clinical records. It’s a government requirement, and information about your medical and family health history is needed to provide accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment.
We will only seek information that is relevant to your health. This information is generally collected directly from you or otherwise with your consent. However, from time to time we may receive information from others (for example, X-ray images and referrals from other practitioners). When this occurs, we will wherever possible make sure you know we have received this information.
Some information about you may be provided to Medicare or your private health insurer, if relevant, for billing and rebate purposes. This information generally does not include your detailed clinical records but may depend on the terms of your insurance policy.
There are circumstances where a health practitioner is legally required to disclose information. An example of this is a subpoena or other mandatory reporting requirements.
Generally, workers compensation and traffic accident schemes require patients treated under those schemes to agree their health information can be shared with the scheme and its insurers.
It is necessary for us to keep your health information for as long as is required by law (generally 7 years after your last consultation, but longer in some circumstances).
We will inform you if we intend to transfer your clinical records to another osteopath or clinic, or if we sell or close this clinic.
Have some questions?
> If you have questions or concerns related to the privacy of your information, you should discuss these with the clinic or your osteopath.
> If you are dissatisfied, contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at 1300 363 992 or access further information via www.oaic.gov.au.
Informed consent
Osteopathic techniques
Competently applied, osteopathic techniques are generally held to be very safe. But all health care interventions carry a level of risk. Serious and permanent harm arising from osteopathic treatment is extremely rare; however, temporary soreness and exacerbations are relatively common with manual therapy.
Cervical manipulation
Osteopathic manipulation of the joints in the neck is generally considered to be very safe. There are no accurate figures available on osteopathic manipulation incidences in Australia. The incidence is so rare that it is difficult to compile accurate statistics.
Apparently similar techniques applied by chiropractors in various studies have been associated with stroke like symptoms vary from 1:50,000 to 1:5million manipulations. It is an assumption that the risks of osteopathic manipulation carry the same risk. It is hoped that osteopathic assessment and clinical reasoning may well reduce the level of risk further.
The research also fails to distinguish between stroke like symptoms caused by manipulation from events in progress that cause the patient to seek osteopathic healthcare in the first place.
Adjunctive techniques
Other forms of treatment also come with risks. Before performing any treatment techniques your osteopath will clearly outline any specific risks involved. With one commonly used technique, myofascial dry needling, there are a number of risks that you should be aware of.
Occasionally myofascial needling can result in small bruises or bleeds caused by damage to capillaries. It is also important that you are aware that when using this technique in close proximity to the lungs there have been a number of cases where a pneumothorax has occurred.
Telehealth
While there are minimal risks involved with online video consultations, some temporary soreness following exercises may arise.
Patient expectations
- You will be seen by a fully qualified and registered osteopath.
- Please do not hesitate to ask the osteopath to stop the treatment and explain anything he/she says or does at any time.
- You may be asked to perform simple movements to help the osteopath understand and assess your condition. The osteopath may also take your blood pressure and test reflexes, joint mobility and muscle strength while you are sitting or lying on the treastment table.
- The osteopath will discuss with you your diagnosis and in most cases treatment will be performed, but if the osteopath believed treatment is not suitable for you at that time they will explain the reasoning why.
- You may feel some discomfort following your treatment. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the osteopath if you wish to discuss anything.
- It may take several consultations before your condition improves.
- It may be beneficial for your osteopath to request further information from your GP – consent will be obtained prior.
Please read the following carefully;
- I understand that there are certain and inherent risks involved with all osteopathic consults and management.
- I understand that, in the practice of osteopathy there are some common transient side-effects to treatment, including, but not limited to, muscle and joint soreness, muscle strain, joint strains, fractures or disc injuries.
- I understand that, with osteopathic cervical manipulation there are risks to treatment, including, but not limited to, muscle and joint soreness, muscle strains, joint strains, fractures, disc injuries, strokes and stroke like episodes.
- I have disclosed all relevant health information to the osteopath and had the opportunity to ask questions where necessary, including those relating to alternative treatment options.
5. I hereby give written consent to the proposed osteopathic care. I acknowledge that I am able to withdraw my consent at any time.
Our Mission
Our mission is to get you pain free through hands on treatment and moving your best through tailored exercise programs.
We want to help you look after the only body you will ever own and take care of it now so you can do the things you love for years to come.
DG Health RICHMOND • Level 1, 99 Murphy St RICHMOND VIC 3121 • 0421 352 389 • info@dghealth.com.au