Ethical and Professional Issues Flashcards
What is it important to do when discussing fees/cancellations?
To discuss fees up front—give client a price list on paper
Make sure cancellation policy is clear—e.g., call within 24 hours or be charged half the fee
How can we account for absences?
Make sure policy is clear Re: # absences tolerated before therapy is terminated
If therapy is in danger of being terminated because of client inattendance, give them a warning verbally and on paper—no abrupt surprises!
What should we do when dealing with failures?
There are some people who we cannot help
We can ask ourselves what we can learn from our failures
What might be some reasons for a client’s lack of progress?
what is our ethical responsibility when providing tx. services?
Ethically– provide services as quickly and efficiently as possible
Discuss termination from beginning
Allude to it along the way
When terminating services, what is it very helpful to do?
To leave the door open
To follow up with a phone call or email
People are terrified that they will permanently fall off your radar—reassure them that this is not the case
You can even schedule a meeting for a later date—say in 3 months—to check progress
How should we act/react about inappropriate personal relationships?
Attraction is human nature—nothing to worry about
Just don’t act on it
Avoid even platonic relationships
What do you do when a client asks you out or expresses interest?
I find it wise to prominently display a picture of a significant other
“I am so flattered by the invitation! But it is against our clinic/hospital/school policy, and I could lose my job. But thank you anyway!”
What should we avoid when a client criticizes another professional?
Sometimes a client will criticize another professional
DON’T get sucked into gossiping or agreeing with the person!
It’s not a small world—it’s a tiny one
What can we do when someone criticizes other professionals?
Don’t say something like “Oh, I’m sure she didn’t intend to be so grumpy.” (don’t defend the other person or belittle the client’s opinion)
Point out that this person graduated from a different institution, and say that different universities have different perspectives
When making referrals what should we make sure to do?
Never hesitate to make referrals to specialists if necessary (e.g., OTs, ENTs; however, be careful in the schools
Be familiar with the person you are referring the client to
Give all contact info
In the schools, how may we make a referral without actually making it?
Next time you take James to the pediatrician, it would be good to ask her whether she thinks an ENT referral is necessary. An ENT would be able to tell you definitively if James needs PE tubes in his ears.
“Next time you take Angela to the dentist, you can ask him if he thinks insurance would cover orthodontia.”
What do we need to do in terms of confidentiality?
Keep all confidential
Make sure clients have signed release forms for exchange of information
Remember HIPAA
What are some of the HIPAA rules?
Set of federal rules followed by health care providers
First-ever set of privacy standards to protect patients’ medical records and other health information
Patients should have access to their medical records
Health care providers must provide requested records within 30 days
They may charge patients for copying and mailing costs
Health care providers must provide a notice to their patients about how they may use personal medical info
Patients should be informed about their rights under HIPAA on the first visit—they sign a document
What does HIPAA stand for?
Health insurance portability and accountability act
What are some suggestions to working efficiently and saving time?
Schedule meetings at odd times (e.g., 3:25, 2:50). This suggests that your time is at a premium.
Schedule a meeting in the other person’s office. That way, you can say “Thanks so much—I’ve taken up enough of your time.” Then you can leave.
If possible, arrive really early in the morning. You can get an amazing amount of work done if you arrive 1-2 hours before everyone else. Plus, you beat the traffic! J
Let’s say you always run into a chatty person. Be sure to ask close-ended questions “Did you have a nice weekend?” rather than “How was your weekend?”
If someone is arguing with you and won’t leave, say “I have another engagement, so I have to go, but let’s schedule another time to finish our conversation.”
If you run into a perpetually negative person who likes to talk, greet him cheerfully and keep moving. Don’t stop and ask how things are going—he will tell you! TMI!
What are things we can do to grow professionally?
attend conventions (CSHA, ASHA)
read new books and journal articles
complete online CEUs
