Recently, the College submitted to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care a regulation to exempt spouses from the definition of sexual abuse. Once in effect, treating spouses will not automatically be considered sexual abuse. It will take many months for the regulation to come into effect, and until the College announces otherwise, kinesiologists are prohibited from treating spouses beyond any minor, episodic or emergency care.
Regardless of whether Council decided to pursue the regulation, the College felt it necessary to develop guidelines for kinesiologists around the treatment of spouses and family members. The Practice Guideline- Treating Family Members and Other Close Personal Relations:
- explains why treating a family member is not recommended, except in exceptional circumstances.
- states that if kinesiologists treat family members, they are still accountable to the College for the care/services provided.
- details several obligations that kinesiologists have to the College and asks kinesiologists to assess whether or not they can meet these obligations when treating a family member.
When the spousal exemption regulation comes into effect, the guideline will be revised to include treatment of spouses. View the College’s guidelines.