PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Question 1

What are general considerations of professional conduct (3 of 5)?

Answer 1

1) Purpose (standards against which conduct is measured)
2) Scope (license holders, supervisees, applicants)
3) violations (can result in reprimands, suspension, revocation or denial of license)
4) aids to interpretations (APA, state ethics codes - OHIO rules trump)
5) provide written response within 60 days of inquiry

Question 2

What areas are covered under professional conduct (6 of 11)?

Answer 2

1) general considerations
2) negligence
3) welfare of clients and associated people
4) remuneration
5) multiple relationships
6) testing and test interpretation
7) confidentiality
8) competence
9) telepsychology
10) violations of law
11) aiding illegal practice

Question 3

What areas does negligence cover (4 of 7)?

Answer 3

1) sexual harassment
2) misrepresenting qualifications
3) misrepresenting affiliations
4) soliciting business by clients (ask them to get you business)
5) promotional activities (don’t misrepresent products sold)
6) maintenance and retention of records
7) behaviors towards clients, students, trainees, employees that fall below standards

Question 4

Considerations before entering sexual relationship with former client to avoid exploitation (4 of 7)

Answer 4

1) at least 24 mos since termination
2) nature, intensity and duration of tx
3) circumstances of termination
4) client’s personal hx
5) client’s current mental status
6) likelihood of adverse effects
7) sexual statements made during tx

Question 5

Factors related to misrepresentation/misleading public (there are 4)

Answer 5

1) don’t use degrees not relevant to psychology or from non-accredited places
2) you are responsible for clearing up misrepresentations of you by others
3) your name needs to be included as responsible psychologist on anything representing your services
4) don’t let your name be used with product that misrepresents your role

Question 6

What needs to be in your records (7 of 12)?

Answer 6

1) presenting problem
2) fee arrangement
3) auth for record release
4) test data
5) copies of reports prepared
6) informed consent
7) date + description of services
8) notes about contacts with other providers

Question 7

What do you need to know about maintenance and retention of records (4 of 6)?

Answer 7

1) need to keep record of service
2) time req.
3) methods to maintain +dispose
4) resp to complaint by providing full record to board w/ client release
5) allow client reasonable access to record unless it causes harm
6) know laws about divorced parent rights

Question 8

How long do you keep records?

Answer 8

Adults - 7 yrs
Minors - 7 yrs AND 2 yrs after age of majority

Question 9

What provisions should be made for records (3)

Answer 9

1) store + dispose in way that maintains confidentiality
2) written plan to transfer when leaving job
3) identify person who will take records if needed in license renewal

Question 10

What situations are covered by welfare of clients (7 of 12)?

Answer 10

1) conflict of interest
2) multiple relationships
3) sufficient info to state opinion
4) informed consent
5) dependency/exploitation of client trust
6) media (don’t dx, tx outside pro relationship)
7) stereotypes - don’t impose
8) terminate/offer alternatives if not beneficial
9) refer when client requests
10) plan for continuity of care if absent
11) interruption of services
12) practicing impaired

Question 11

Considerations about conflicts of interest (there are 3 areas)

Answer 11

1) custody dispute/contested parenting time
a. anticipate being asked to get involved
b. clarify and document asap that role is purely tx services
c. don’t render opinions about custody/parenting time
d. only offer opinions if contracted by court
2) if couples/family/group - clarify relationships, confidentiality, record access w/ all
3) if conflict b/t contracting agency and client, be clear about your loyalties and responsibilities

Question 12

Rules around multiple relationships (5 rules and 5 specific who to avoid)

Answer 12

1) some communities may be unavoidable and incidental contact is ok
2) may be needed in emergency
3) may ne needed to make referral
4) prohibited relationships
a. anyone you are sexually intimate with
b. engaging in intimacy with a client from past 24 mos
c. anyone you’ve had personal rel w/ if affects judgment
d. entering any rel. w/ client from past 24 mos if results in exploitation or impaired judgment
e. terminate pro role to enter other rel
f. rules extend beyond 24 mos if vulnerable person
5) if mult. rel. occurs unexpectedly, resolve w client welfare as objective
a. discuss and document asap
b. continue only if mutually agree and in best interest of client to continue
c. reassess and justify in record on ongoing basis as appropriate

Question 13

What rules exist around informed consent (3 of 5)?

Answer 13

1) get in writing b4 service starts
2) clarify rules around 3rd party joining service
3) keep client informed re tx, procedures, dx, freedom of choice w other tx
4) court order eval - stay within order; document and inform evaluee
5) clarify roles if couples/family/group tx

Question 14

Do psychologists have to structure financial arrangements with clients (remuneration)? (4 of 7)

Answer 14

1) clarify financial b4 bill
2) don’t mislead or withhold cost info
3) don’t exploit w excess fees/bartering
4) if paid by agency or school, be clear you are obligated to client
5) don’t bill for services not rendered

Question 15

3 areas covered under testing

Answer 15

1) assessment procedures
2) test security
3) test interpretation

Question 16

Assessment procedures you must follow (3 of 5)

Answer 16

1) results and interpretations are confidential
2) provide results in plain language
3) provide opinions on any reservations or concerns about appropriateness of test
4) choose appropriate tests that benefit client
5) if offering materials or interpretation services, have manual

Question 17

3 factors for test security

Answer 17

1) don’t reproduce in media in ways that invalidate
2) maintain security when using to instruct (e.g., create sample items that resemble but only publish actual items in professional publications)
3) don’t allow inadequately supervised test admin.

Question 18

3 factors for test interpretation

Answer 18

1) release of results according to confidentiality rights
2) make sure results aren’t misinterpreted or misused
3) respect client/guardian rights to understand interpretation

Question 19

Factors to consider regarding confidential info (4 of 6)

Answer 19

1) can disclose when part of a team
2) redact identity if case reports for teaching
3) don’t record w/o consent
4) limit access to records/make sure employees follow confidentiality requirements
5) maintain confidentiality after services end
6) be clear about confidentiality with multiple parties (e.g., hiring organization)

Question 20

Factors impacting confidentiality (5 of 8)

Answer 20

1) can’t testify w/o consent
2) court can make decisions on limits
3) can break if risk to self/others
4) spell out limits at start
5) protect during teaching/research
6) tell minors parents can access their records
7) may release w court order
8) be familiar w laws around child and vulnerable adult abuse

Question 21

Factors related to competence (4 of 7)

Answer 21

1) limit practice to training, education, experience
2) limits on school psych practice
3) specialty standard of care
4) maintain competency (CE, consult)
5) if adding new services, get training and consult and tell clients they are new
6) make referrals if in best interest of client
7) don’t start service if client is already receiving tx with another pro w/o informing that pro

Question 22

What are factors related to telepsychology (5 of 8)?

Answer 22

1) in order to practice in ohio need ohio license
2) ohio license doesn’t mean you can practice in other states
3) establish and maintain current competence
4) decide on case-by-case basis
5) ensure confidential info can’t be recovered

Question 23

What factors should be considered to determine if telepsychology is appropriate? (5 of 8)

Answer 23

1) conduct risk-benefit analysis
a. presenting problem and condition
b. client’s ability to use
2) don’t use if risks if inappropriate
3) verify identity at each contact
4) have alternate way to contact
5) give them alternate way to contact you
6) have written agreement about emergency access to face-to-face
7) use secure communication
8) obtain written consent sp. to telepsych b4 starting

Question 24

What should be in written informed consent about telepsych (5 of 8)?

Answer 24

1) limitations and innovative nature
2) potential confidentiality risks
3) potential for unexpected disruption
4) when/how emails answered
5) using alternative communication when needed
6) who else may access communication
7) methods to ensure how communication is directed
8) how messages are stored

Question 25

What are violations of law (5 of 8)?

Answer 25

1) violations of applicable statutes
2) fraud, misrepre., deception to
a. obtain license
b. take license exam
c. assist someone to get license
d. billing
e. providing services
f. reporting results
g. conducting any other pro. activity

Question 26

What constitutes aiding illegal practice? (4)

Answer 26

1) shall not aid or abet another in misrepresenting credentials or practicing illegally
2) shall not delegate work to unqualified people
3) shall exercise appropriate supervision
4) shall report violations to board