Is there such a thing as financial confidentiality?
Answer
It's not a thing. We should not keep our financial interests confidential. Those are potential conflicts of interest. For example, if you own a company that produces knee braces, or a company that makes some sort of kinesiotape, and you are using that on your patients and selling it in your waiting room, you need to have a big sign hanging that says that it is a potential conflict of interest to sell you this product because I make money when I sell you this product. You need to disclose that. There is no such thing as financial confidentiality. We have to let our patients know if there is a conflict of interest.
Brigette Cuffia, PT, JD
Brigette Cuffia is an Assistant Professor at Neumann University and teaches in the Physical Therapy Program. She is also one of the Academic Coordinators of Clinical Education responsible for student clinical placements. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy and her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University and her Juris Doctorate Degree from Temple University. She is both a licensed PT in Pennsylvania as well as a licensed attorney admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar.
Brigette has taught live ethics and jurisprudence courses for licensed therapists since 2009. She is currently teaching courses on ethical technology usage, pediatric ethics and legal issues. She is also an on-line instructor for Care Resources, LLC and Elite Rehabilitation Solutions teaching ethics and legal issues for healthcare providers.
Clinically, Brigette has worked for Moss Rehab Hospital for over 15 years in some capacity- currently she is an outpatient per-diem. While at Moss as the neurology team lead she was integral in developing a CARF accredited spinal cord injury program, bariatric program and also reviving the sexuality and disability education committee. Brigette was awarded a grant to develop Moss Muscle Builders, a maintenance group for persons with disabilities, which is still active today.
At Neumann Brigette developed and implements the service-learning curriculum which allows students the opportunity to participate in public health initiatives throughout the community Brigette also chairs the Philadelphia Area Clinical Education Consortium a nonprofit group providing continuing education in the region: www.phillyclined.org
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/ethics-in-practice-examining-medical-4830Ethics in Practice: Examining Medical Errors: An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of CureThis course examines the role of physical therapists and physical therapists assistants in the prevention of medical errors. Topics discussed include APTA Code of Ethics Analysis, creating a culture of safety and the economic impact of medical errors. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
This course examines the role of physical therapists and physical therapists assistants in the prevention of medical errors. Topics discussed include APTA Code of Ethics Analysis, creating a culture of safety and the economic impact of medical errors. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/ethics-in-physical-therapy-bioethics-4590Tennessee Ethics in Physical Therapy: Bioethics and Our Code of EthicsThis course is specifically designed for PTs and PTAs licensed in the state of Tennessee. Physical therapists make ethical decisions on a daily basis. In routine clinical practice PTs and PTAs are also faced with tough situations known as ethical dilemmas. Understanding bioethics and the APTA Code of Ethics can help therapists make decisions regarding ethical issues in an informed way. Models of ethical decision making will be presented and clinical examples analyzed. Upon taking this course therapists will more readily recognize the ethical makeup of their clinical practice and feel more confident in their ethical decision making. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is appropriate for the PT and PTA.textual, visual
This course is specifically designed for PTs and PTAs licensed in the state of Tennessee. Physical therapists make ethical decisions on a daily basis. In routine clinical practice PTs and PTAs are also faced with tough situations known as ethical dilemmas. Understanding bioethics and the APTA Code of Ethics can help therapists make decisions regarding ethical issues in an informed way. Models of ethical decision making will be presented and clinical examples analyzed. Upon taking this course therapists will more readily recognize the ethical makeup of their clinical practice and feel more confident in their ethical decision making. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is appropriate for the PT and PTA.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/supervising-assistants-students-and-aides-4377Supervising Assistants, Students, and Aides: Upholding Your Ethics in a Challenging Health Care EnvironmentThis presentation reviews the definitions of supervision as well as APTA guidance related to supervising assistants, students, and aides in various healthcare environments. Documentation guidelines for Medicare are reviewed as these relate to what an assistant can complete versus a therapist. The use of students and rehab aides in long-term care is reviewed in accordance with Medicare guidelines. Real examples of common supervisory ethical dilemmas from the field, including the appropriate action steps to take in each one, are highlighted. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTAauditory, textual, visual
This presentation reviews the definitions of supervision as well as APTA guidance related to supervising assistants, students, and aides in various healthcare environments. Documentation guidelines for Medicare are reviewed as these relate to what an assistant can complete versus a therapist. The use of students and rehab aides in long-term care is reviewed in accordance with Medicare guidelines. Real examples of common supervisory ethical dilemmas from the field, including the appropriate action steps to take in each one, are highlighted. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/jurisprudence-for-wisconsin-physical-therapist-4638Jurisprudence for the Wisconsin Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist AssistantPTs and PTAs practicing in Wisconsin must complete a jurisprudence course for license renewal. Jurisprudence components include sections of the Wisconsin Administrative Code that deal specifically with the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Examining Board and physical therapy practice, the Wisconsin Administrative Code which has to do with the Department of Safety and Professional Services Administrative Procedures and specific statutes enacted in chapters 15, 440, and 448 of the state code that impacts physical therapy.textual, visual
PTs and PTAs practicing in Wisconsin must complete a jurisprudence course for license renewal. Jurisprudence components include sections of the Wisconsin Administrative Code that deal specifically with the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Examining Board and physical therapy practice, the Wisconsin Administrative Code which has to do with the Department of Safety and Professional Services Administrative Procedures and specific statutes enacted in chapters 15, 440, and 448 of the state code that impacts physical therapy.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/ethics-clinical-perspective-for-therapists-4693Ethics: A Clinical Perspective for TherapistsThis seminar provides practical information about ethics from a clinical perspective. Basic principles of ethics as they relate to healthcare and physical therapy are reviewed. Behaviors that are considered unethical by most credentialing bodies are considered, as well as health care/therapy codes of ethics. The CELIBATE and RIPS methods for analyzing ethical dilemmas are reviewed with case studies to demonstrate use.auditory, textual, visual
This seminar provides practical information about ethics from a clinical perspective. Basic principles of ethics as they relate to healthcare and physical therapy are reviewed. Behaviors that are considered unethical by most credentialing bodies are considered, as well as health care/therapy codes of ethics. The CELIBATE and RIPS methods for analyzing ethical dilemmas are reviewed with case studies to demonstrate use.
