In a previous blog, the quality certificate of the ErfahrungsMedizinisches Register (EMR) for complementary medicine was already presented. Another institution that evaluates the quality of health practitioners in Switzerland is the ASCA Foundation. These seals of approval show that a therapist has completed a serious education program, is constantly training and continuously proves the quality of the offered method. Health care providers listed in the Altea Directory are all EMR and/or ASCA certified.
Health care practitioners must have recognized education and training to be ASCA certified.
The ASCA Foundation was founded in April 1991 by health insurance specialists and health practitioners, it is independent, neutral, non-profit and under federal supervision. Today, the Foundation includes 15,000 therapists in over 130 different therapeutic areas. ASCA's goal is not only to make high-quality complementary medicine available to the general population, but also to create integrative institutions for collaboration between physicians and health practitioners.
To be recognized by ASCA, health practitioners must meet the following quality criteria, among others:
- New health methods must be reviewed by a Medical Therapeutic Commission (MTK).
- A completed recognized training must be presented
- The practitioners must present a clean criminal record
- Practitioners have to commit to continuing education for at least 16 hours per year
- Practitioners have to comply with the ethical guidelines of ASCA
The ASCA Seal of Quality is valid for one year at a time and renewal requires proof that all requirements continue to be met.
ASCA recognition is also available for schools and training centers
Many Swiss health insurers are partners of the ASCA Foundation. Thereby health practitioners can achieve reimbursement by health insurers through ASCA certification. In addition to trained health practitioners, schools and training centers can also obtain ASCA certification if the scope and content of the subject areas taught meet ASCA standards. In order to ensure the quality of training, teachers must be able to provide evidence of subject-specific training and attend mandatory training courses. In addition, the examination process must be disclosed and ASCA has the right to send experts to monitor final exams.
