Book III: Medical auxiliaries, nursing auxiliaries, childcare auxiliaries, ambulance drivers and dental assistants

The masseur-physiotherapist helps to ensure, through appropriate care and measures, the quality of a life that is coming to an end, safeguards the patient’s dignity and comforts those around him or her. They do not have the right to deliberately provoke death.

The masseur-physiotherapist may not advise or propose to the patient or their family, as being beneficial or without danger, a product or procedure which is illusory or insufficiently tested. Any practice of charlatanism is prohibited.

The masseur-physiotherapist must refrain from exposing the patient to any unjustified risk in the procedures he/she performs or in the medical devices he/she prescribes.

The masseur-physiotherapist must act as the child’s advocate when he or she feels that the child’s health interests are being misunderstood or misguided by those around him or her.

When a masseur-physiotherapist discerns that a person to whom he or she is called upon to provide care is the victim of abuse or deprivation, he or she must implement the most appropriate means to protect that person by demonstrating prudence and circumspection. In the case of a minor or a person who is unable to protect him/herself due to age or physical or mental condition, except in special circumstances…

Independently of the personal medical file provided for in article L. 161-36-1 of the Social Security Code, the masseur-physiotherapist keeps a personal file for each patient; it is confidential and contains the up-to-date information required for diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. In all cases, these documents are kept under the responsibility of the masseur-physiotherapist. Subject to the provisions applicable to health establishments, physiotherapy records are kept under the responsibility of the…

Continuity of patient care must be ensured. Except in emergencies and in cases where he would fail in his duty of humanity, the masseur-physiotherapist has the right to refuse care for professional or personal reasons. If he withdraws from his mission, he will then inform the patient and pass on to the masseur-physiotherapist designated by the latter the information necessary for the continuation of care.

Physiotherapists cannot abandon their patients in the event of public danger.

The masseur-physiotherapist called upon to provide care in a family or community must, as far as possible, do everything possible to ensure compliance with the rules of hygiene and prophylaxis. He informs the patient of his responsibilities and duties towards himself and third parties, and of the precautions he must take.

The masseur-physiotherapist, without yielding to any abusive request, facilitates the patient’s obtaining the social benefits to which his condition entitles him. To this end, he is authorised, with the patient’s consent, to communicate to the consultant practitioner of the social security body to which he belongs, or belonging to a public or private body which decides on the allocation of social benefits, the information which is strictly necessary.