Professional Practice Flashcards
What are the four ethical principles?
Justice, autonomy, beneficence, non-malfeasance
Define justice, and how it relates to PT practice
equality, fairness of treatment or fair distribution of resources. PTs must maximize fairness to every patient regardless of a patients age, gender, race, or any other factors.
Define autonomy, and how it relates to PT practice
the right of a patient to be self-governing or to function independently. PTs must ensure they are giving the patient enough information to make an informed decision.
Define beneficence, and how it relates to PT practice
the duty to do good. A PT’s course of actions should always be in the interest of the patient
Define non-malfeasance and how it relates to PT practice
refers to the principle of do no harm, prevent harm or remove harm. Course of action affecting the patient should not cause harm whether it is by omission (what we don’t do) or commission (what we do).
How to resolve an ethical issue (6 steps)
1) IDENTIFY an ethical problem
2) IDENTIFY the facts, laws, and ethical principles
3) CONSIDER the impact on stakeholders and patients
4) FIND potential course of action
5) CHOOSE a course of action
6) ASSESS the outcome of the action and decide whether further action is needed.
Scope of practice can be identified by the following (3)
1) education and training
2) governing body
3) institution
For physiotherapy, the 3 essential competency profiles are
Physiotherapy diagnosis, physiotherapy assessment, physiotherapy interventions
What are the 9 physiotherapy interventions? (MECCA FEST)
consultation, education, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy/SFT techniques, electro-physical agents, mechanical modalities, functional and activity training, cardio-respiratory techniques, prescribing aids and devices.
What is NOT in the physiotherapy scope of practice
1) Diagnosing medical conditions and diseases
2) Prescribing or discussing the use of medication
3) other medical interventions not in the PT scope.
What is a controlled act or restricted activity?
a healthcare activity that by law should be performed by individuals authorized to perform them or by individuals who have been delegated the activity by an individual who is authorized to perform them.
How do you manage adverse outcomes with controlled acts/ restricted activities?
must know what to do in adverse outcomes occur while perfoming the act/activity. Additionally must have written instructions that describe how to manage any reasonable foreseeable adverse outcomes.
What are some restricted activities for physiotherapy?
tracheal suctioning, spinal manipulation, acupunture (including DN), treating wound below the dermis, assessing or rehabilitating pelvic musculature, administering a substance by inhalation.
What do you have to ensure for the individual being delegated the restricted activity ?
1) has the knowledge, skills, and judgement to do so competently
2) understands the circumstances in which they can perform the activity, with whom, and any other limitations.
3) how to manage adverse outcomes and has written instructions that describe how to manage any reasonably foreseeable adverse outcomes.
What are the restricted activities that CANNOT be delegated?
acupuncture, communication a diagnosis, spinal manipulation, internal assessment or rehabilitation of pelvic musculature.
Consent is required prior to?
assessing a patient, treating a patient, sharing health records or personal information regarding a patient to a third party
what is the only exception to obtaining consent?
emergency
How can consent be given?
implied or expressed
is there a minimum age for consent?
no
who obtains consent for a delegated task?
the physio as they are responsible for the treatment
Can consent be given for a multi-faceted course of treatment?
yes
when a patient is present with a plan involving multiple heathcare providers, how is consent obtained
it can be obtained through one of the healthcare providers that will be on behalf of the rest of the healthcare providers in the plan.
What is the patients right regarding consent?
to consent or refuse treatment
Can consent be withrawn
yes at any time (if it is safe to do so)
Does consent need to be documented?
Yes
What is informed consent?
The patient, or decision maker in the situation, is given all information by the therapist with regards to the treatment, the nature of the treatment, benefits, risks and side effects, consequences of not relieving the proposed treatment and the alternative options.
why is informed consent important?
it gives patients or decision makers the opportunity to make any substitutes, and creates meaningful participation by patient in the process.
What are the 4 components of consent?
capacity, voluntariness, disclosure, and understanding.
What is capacity? Regarding consent?
the patient must have the ability to understand the interaction and appreciate consequences of their decisions. if patient is unable to demonstrate capacity, it is passed to a substitute decision maker
What are the responsibilities of a physio regarding capacity to consent?
the physio is responsible for determining capacity when gaining consent. no age determinant and is decision specific.
What are possible indicators that a patient may be incapable of providing consent?
confused or delusional thinking
cognitive disability
inability to retain info (memory problem)
impaired by drugs (legal or illegal) or alcohol
irrational thinking as a result of severe pain, acute fear, anxiety or depression.
What is a substitute Decision Maker?
An individual who is authorized to provide or refuse consent to a treatment on behalf of a person who is incapable of making decisions.
Hierarchy of substitute decision makers (under the Health Care Consent Act).
Legal guardian, attorney for personal care, representative from the consent and capacity, board, spouse/partner, paren or adult child, parent with right of access, brother or sister, any other relative, public gaurdian and trustee.
What is voluntariness? Regarding consent?
Details that patient must never be coerced/ manipulated in making a decision.
What are some of the caveats of voluntariness? (ie. persuasion? bias? professional opinion?)
Although coercion is unacceptable, persuasion is.
information should not be framed with a bias
physio may provide professional opinion however must present the options objectively.
What is disclosure? Regarding consent?
Must disclose all information for the individual to make a decision
What does disclosure involve?
Nature of treatment
benefits
possible risks and side effect
alternative options
consequences of not receiving treatment