Section 4: Ethics of masseur-physiotherapists

It is forbidden for a masseur-physiotherapist, unless exemptions are granted by the Conseil national de l’ordre, under the conditions set out in articles L. 1453-6 and L. 1453-7, to distribute, for profit, remedies, appliances or products presented as having an interest in health.

The sharing of fees between masseur-physiotherapists, or between a masseur-physiotherapist and another healthcare professional, is prohibited in any form whatsoever, except in the cases provided for in the contracts validated by the Conseil Départemental de l’Ordre. The acceptance, solicitation or offer of a fee-sharing arrangement, even if not followed by action, is prohibited.

Competition between masseur-physiotherapists, or between a masseur-physiotherapist and another healthcare professional or any other person is prohibited.

The following are prohibited for masseur-physiotherapists: 1° Any act likely to provide the patient with an unjustified or illicit material benefit; 2° Any rebate in money or in kind, or any commission to any person whatsoever; 3° Apart from the conditions set out in articles L. 1453-6 and L. 1453-7, the solicitation or acceptance of a benefit in kind or in cash in any form whatsoever, directly or indirectly, for…

A masseur-physiotherapist is prohibited from performing any procedure or issuing any prescription in commercial premises or in any other place where products or appliances included in the list of medical devices that he may prescribe are offered for sale.

The masseur-physiotherapist shall take care as to the use made of his name, his capacity or his declarations. He must not tolerate public or private organisations, where he practises or to which he lends his assistance, using his identity for commercial purposes with the non-professional public.

A masseur-physiotherapist who holds an elected office or an administrative position may not use it to increase his clientele.

The masseur-physiotherapist takes the greatest care in the attestations and certificates he/she draws up. They must be neutral and confine themselves to objective observations in compliance with the present code. The issuing of a biased report or a certificate of convenience is prohibited.

Any fraud, abuse of quotation, inaccurate indication of procedures performed or fees received, or both, are prohibited.

Facilitating or colluding with anyone who engages in the illegal practice of massage therapy is prohibited.