What if you as the PT treated a personal trainer, and that personal trainer referred several of their clients to you when they had legitimate reasons for PT. The personal trainer injured themselves again and was your patient again. Should you accept further referrals from that personal trainer?
Answer
First, why does this personal trainer keep injuring themselves? That is a concern. As their PT, we need to provide education on body mechanics or proper lifting techniques or overuse injuries. I don't know what the issue was. As long as there is no financial relationship, this is not a conflict of interest. What I'm reading here though this question is that you did a good job with the professional trainer, and because of that, the professional trainer referred their clients to you because he or she thinks you did a good job. That is what every PT manager and/or PT private practice owner, is hoping for is that word of mouth referral. There is a problem and its llegal if there is some sort of kick back scheme or if the trainer says to you, "You're such a great PT. I'm going to give you free training sessions." That's a conflict of interest. If you say to the professional trainer, "You've referred so many people to me. You can work out in my gym whenever you want for free," that is also a conflict of interest and a kick back as well. If the person is just referring patients to you and is just coming back to you because you did a good job, that's our dream as PTs (that they would believe that we did a good job, and that they would want to come and work with us).
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/georgia-jurisprudence-and-ethics-for-4643Georgia Ethics and JurisprudencePTs and PTAs in the state of GA are required to complete a 4 hour course on jurisprudence and ethics for license renewal. This course reviews the jurisprudence and ethics components as outlined by the Georgia Board of Physical Therapy and is applicable for PTs and PTAs licensed in the state of Georgia.auditory, textual, visual
PTs and PTAs in the state of GA are required to complete a 4 hour course on jurisprudence and ethics for license renewal. This course reviews the jurisprudence and ethics components as outlined by the Georgia Board of Physical Therapy and is applicable for PTs and PTAs licensed in the state of Georgia.
2https://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.
3https://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.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/put-down-drugs-evidence-based-3072Put Down the Drugs: Evidence-Based Interventions to Reduce Unwanted Behaviors with DementiaPTs can apply evidence-based interventions to improve dementia care. This session reviews the etiology of common behaviors. Cognitive-emotion, multi-sensory, animal-assisted, and exercise interventions to reduce agitation are discussed as well as specific strategies for improving task-related engagement. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.auditory, textual, visual
PTs can apply evidence-based interventions to improve dementia care. This session reviews the etiology of common behaviors. Cognitive-emotion, multi-sensory, animal-assisted, and exercise interventions to reduce agitation are discussed as well as specific strategies for improving task-related engagement. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and 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.
