Ethical Dx of Therapy Practice

Sheri L. Bjork, PT, MBA

Current Events

Patient Scenarios Disclaimer

The scenarios in this course are a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of this author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual patients, therapists, business establishments, events or location is entirely coincidental.

Nickels, McHugh, McHugh.

Making an Ethical Decision

• Is it Legal?• Is it Balanced?• How does it make you feel?

Is It Legal?

• Statutory Law• Administrative Agencies

Statutory Law

• Written law• Federal & State• Legislative enactments• Texas Physical Therapy Practice Act• Title 3, Subtitle H, Chapter 453, Occupations

Code• August 2006• http://www.ecptote.state.tx.us/_private/

PT_Act_2006.pdf

Administrative Agencies

• Branches of the government created by Congress

• Power to issue rules, regulations, & orders• Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

Rules• Last publication June 2007• http://www.ecptote.state.tx.us/_private/

PT_currentrules.pdf

ECPTPTE

• http://www.ecptote.state.tx.us/• Physical Therapy Act

– http://www.ecptote.state.tx.us/_private/PT_Act_2006.pdf

• Physical Therapy Rules– http://www.ecptote.state.tx.us/_private/

PT_currentrules.pdf

Is It Balanced?

• Professional Ethics Codes• Professional Standards• Facility Policies & Procedures• Facility Mission Statement• Others

CRITERIA FOR STANDARDS OF PRACTICE FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY

• http://www.apta.org/AM/PrinterTemplate.cfm?Section=Marketing_Programs&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=29748

APTA Guide for Professional Conduct

• http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Ethics_and_Legal_Issues1&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=41221

APTA Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant

• http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Ethics_and_Legal_Issues1&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=41220

Code of Ethics

• http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Ethics_and_Legal_Issues1&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=40904

APTA Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant • http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?

Section=Ethics_and_Legal_Issues1&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=40903

Professional Code of Ethics

• Not all therapists are members of the professional association.

• Are the ethical codes binding even if a therapist is not a member?

• Does each member agree with the Code of Ethics?

• What happens when professional codes conflict?

Moral Judgment--Balancing

• Patient rights & goals• Physician orders/professional evaluation• Values• Religious/philosophical perception

Patient Rights

• Informed consent• Respect for privacy• Protect confidential information

Physician Order(s)

• Looking out for the patient’s well being• Physician duty to uphold the Hippocratic

Oath• Professional Standard/Practice

Values/Religion/Philosophical Perceptions

• Quality• Goals• How?

Balancing?

• Am I acting fairly?• Would I want to be treated this way?• Is it a win-win situation?

Decision Making

• Legal documents– PT Practice Act & Rules

• Professional documents– Code of Ethics– Standards of Practice

• Moral judgment– Patient rights & values– Your values & philosophies– Others values & philosophies

How does it make you feel?

• Would I be able to discuss my actions with an immediate supervisor? Company client?

• How would I feel if my decision was announced on the evening news?