What are some common ethical issues in practicing in physical therapy and in healthcare in general today?
Answer
In the healthcare profession, we commonly encounter several ethical issues that deserve our careful attention. These encompass both the need for thorough and accurate documentation as well as navigating complex workplace demands:
Documentation Lapses
Ensuring timely and accurate documentation of patient encounters is critical. Lapses in documentation, such as shortcuts, using X's or dots, or cloning/copy-pasting records, can compromise patient care and credibility in legal situations.
Employer Demands and Productivity Quotas
Balancing productivity demands with ethical practice is essential. While efficiency and productivity are important, falsifying billing or misrepresenting services to meet quotas is unethical.
Use and Supervision of Support Personnel
Utilizing support personnel within the boundaries of state practice acts is crucial. Clearly defining roles and responsibilities of support staff to ensure they adhere to legal and ethical guidelines is vital.
Impaired Practitioners
Recognizing and addressing impaired practitioners due to mental health issues or substance abuse is essential for patient safety and maintaining professional ethics. Prompt intervention and support are imperative in such cases
Student Supervision
Adequate supervision and mentorship for students during clinical placements are ethical responsibilities. Neglecting to provide proper guidance and supervision can compromise the learning experience and ethical conduct of students.
Addressing these ethical challenges involves upholding professional standards, prioritizing patient care and safety, and ensuring compliance with legal regulations. It's incumbent upon healthcare professionals to maintain ethical conduct while navigating the demands and responsibilities inherent in their roles.
Kathleen D. Weissberg, OTD, OTR/L, CMDCP, CDP, CFPS
In her 30+ years of practice, Dr. Kathleen Weissberg has worked in rehabilitation and long-term care as an executive, researcher, and educator. She has established numerous programs in nursing facilities; authored peer-reviewed publications on topics such as low vision, dementia quality care, and wellness; and has spoken at national and international conferences. She provides continuing education support to over 40,000 individuals nationwide as National Director of Education for Select Rehabilitation. She is a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner, a Certified Montessori Dementia Care Practitioner, and a Certified Fall Prevention Specialist. She serves as the Region 1 Director for the American Occupational Therapy Association Political Action Committee and adjunct professor at Gannon University in Erie, PA.
Related Courses
1https://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
2https://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.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/ethics-and-jurisprudence-for-indiana-4574Ethics and Jurisprudence for the Indiana Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist AssistantPTs and PTAs practicing in the state of Indiana are required to complete a two-hour course on ethics and jurisprudence for license and certificate renewal respectively. This course reviews the principles of ethics, common ethical dilemmas, and methods for analyzing ethical dilemmas. Jurisprudence components as outlined by the Indiana Board of Physical Therapy, Indiana Physical Therapy Practice Act and The Indiana Administrative Code is also discussed.textual
PTs and PTAs practicing in the state of Indiana are required to complete a two-hour course on ethics and jurisprudence for license and certificate renewal respectively. This course reviews the principles of ethics, common ethical dilemmas, and methods for analyzing ethical dilemmas. Jurisprudence components as outlined by the Indiana Board of Physical Therapy, Indiana Physical Therapy Practice Act and The Indiana Administrative Code is also discussed.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/ethics-in-rehabilitation-clinical-perspective-4338Ethics in Rehabilitation: A Clinical Perspective for TherapistsIn this seminar, practical information about ethics is provided from a clinical perspective. Basic principles of ethics as they relate to healthcare and 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. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
In this seminar, practical information about ethics is provided from a clinical perspective. Basic principles of ethics as they relate to healthcare and 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. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/supporting-lgbtq-senior-in-healthcare-4096Supporting the LGBTQ Senior in HealthcareThis training describes the required elements for responding to the emerging needs of long term care communities to provide sensitive and respectful services to LGBT elders. The training reviews definitions related to sexual orientation and gender identity challenges experienced by LGBT older adults, and strategies for communication and policies that honor residents' rights. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.auditory, textual, visual
This training describes the required elements for responding to the emerging needs of long term care communities to provide sensitive and respectful services to LGBT elders. The training reviews definitions related to sexual orientation and gender identity challenges experienced by LGBT older adults, and strategies for communication and policies that honor residents' rights. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.
