Prevention and Management of Conflicts of Interest

Question 1

Types of conflicts

Answer 1

• Perceived (for example, referring clients internally for other services)
• Potential (for example, a close family member interviewing for a position at an organization to which the occupational therapist refers clients)
• Actual (for example, receiving or making payment for referrals)

Question 2

If avoiding a conflict of interest is not possible, manage it by taking these steps:

Answer 2

1. Discuss the conflict of interest with the client, other professionals, partners, and interested parties before providing services.
2. Advise the client of their right to decline services at any time and, if possible, suggest alternatives.
3. Document in the client records the steps taken to address the conflict.

Question 3

Recommend only products or services that are appropriately indicated, and that do not involve any personal gain, relationship, or financial interest for the occupational therapist or someone close to them.
This applies unless the occupational therapist can manage the conflict of interest by taking these steps:

Answer 3

• Disclose the nature of the benefit or relationship to clients in advance
• Discuss other options for products or services, and allow clients to choose
• Assure clients that services will not be adversely affected should they select an alternative supplier or product
• Document the discussion in the client record

Question 4

Avoid self-referrals or soliciting clients (for example, referring clients from an employer’s practice to the occupational therapist’s private practice). This applies unless alternative options are not available or are not in clients’ best interests (for example, clients are at risk of not receiving the services). In these cases, take these steps:

Answer 4

Disclose the self-referral to the occupational therapist’s employer, clients, and others involved in the referral or services

Give clients the option of seeking alternative services

Document the full disclosure in the client record

Question 5

Requests for Private Practice Follow Up with Clients

Answer 5

機構政策

不會影響professional judgement嗎？e.g. early discharge

Will the client feel obliged or pressured to comply with health providers?

how would colleagues, managers, clients, or others perceive this arrangement?

Advertising: OTs are not allowed to directly pressure or solicit his business to clients

Transparent to every stakeholder