All manual osteopaths should make sure the following guidelines are followed:
1. An advertisement must be accurate, factual and contain information that is verifiable. It should readily be comprehensible by the persons to whom it is directed.
2. An advertisement may:
(a) name a specific service, technique and/or product but cannot claim superiority or endorse the exclusive use of such services, techniques or products;
(b) offer an initial complimentary consultation.
3. Any advertisement with respect to a manual osteopath’s practice must not contain:
(a) anything false or misleading;
(b) a guaranteed success of care;
(c) any comparison to another member’s or other health care provider’s practice, qualifications or expertise;
(d) any expressed or implied endorsement or recommendation for the exclusive use of a product or brand of equipment used to provide services;
(e) material that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.
4. A manual osteopath may advertise his/her fee for manual osteopathy services provided:
(a) the advertisement contains accurate, complete and clear disclosure of what is and what is not included in the fee;
(b) there are no hidden fees/costs;
(c) the manual osteopath does not bill a third-party payor for the complimentary portion of the treatment service;
(d) the advertisement expressly states the timeframe to be honoured for any complimentary or discounted treatment service;
(e) the advertisement does not limit the offer to a certain number of participants;
(f) no obligation is placed on the patient for follow-up appointments as a result of the complimentary or discounted treatment service;
(g) the advertisement is presented in a professional manner that maintains the dignity of the manual osteopathy profession.