Section 5 Flashcards
What are the CAP Regulations on entering sexual relationships with clients?
(S5: C)
- Prohibited from entering sexual relationships with existing clients
- Prohibited for after 24 months after services
- Prohibition extends to as long as the psychologist has “power over” the persom
True or False: Complaints related to CAP’s Standards of Practice that address “sufficient professional knowledge” have increased in recent years.
(S5: E)
True
Partially because psychology have become more complex and intertwined with the legal process
Goals of CAP - 2
S5: F
- To protect the public
- Enhance the practice of psychology in a remedial manner, wherever possible
They do this by ensuring that complaints are handled according to the principles of justice, transparency, objectivity, independence and fairness
Which act requires CAP to act to protect the public?
S5: F
HPA - Health Professions Act
True of False: The college resolves the vast majority of formal complaints without proceeding to a formal
hearing
(S5: F)
True
What are consent agreements?
S5: F
A remedial measure to a complaint that involves ethics/practice reviews, apologies, reimbursement of fees, etc)
This option may offer advantages to both parties in terms of timelines and outcomes
True or False: A formal hearing will take place if the complainant and the psychologists cannot agree to a negotiation resolution
(S5: F)
True - both complainant and psychologist MUST agree to a negotiated resolution, otherwise it will proceed to formal hearing
THIS IS UNCOMMON
The CAP Council will appoint regulated members to serve on which two panels in order for a hearing to take place?
(S5: F)
- The Hearing Tribunal - conducts hearings regarding alleged unprofessional conduct made against psychologist
- Complaint Review Committee - reviews the Complaint’s Directors dismissal of complaint
Both consist of two CAP members, and one AHS appointed member of the public
Psychologists who work with in which kinds of areas are most at risk of having a complaint filed against them?
Which kinds of clients are most likely to file complaints?
(S5: G)
High-risk areas:
- custody evaluation
- contested divorce
- supervision
- third-party evaluations
High-risk clients:
- suicidal
- violent
- involved in unrelated lawsuits
- history of abuse (specifically recovered memory of abuse)
Psychologists who do _____evaluations are most likely to experience complaint, even though only _ % are formally found at fault
(S5: G)
custody evaluations, 1%
What are some of the impacts a complaint can have on a psychologist’s practice?
(S5: G)
- loss of insurance
- loss of hospital privileges
- increased premiums
- loss of membership in professional associations
- decreased referrals
- financial loss
What are two reasons that clients are becoming conscious around filing board complaints?
(S5: G)
- Clients are more well-informed about their rights and the responsibility of psychologists
- Increased access to consumer information
- - can help clients to be more sophisticated clients OR may increase risk of misunderstanding terminology, etc
Which types of clients are most vulnerable to misunderstanding psychologists interventions, as well as the intent/applications of ethical codes?
WHY?
(S5: G)
Clients with history of:
- abuse
- deprivation
- neglect
BECAUSE: these clients may be more at risk of experiencing these feelings within the context of transference, regardless of how ethical clients can be
What are two ways that a complaint might impact a psychologists ability to do her job as a therapist?
(S5: G)
- May compromise objectivity
- May compromise effectiveness in clinical work
(professional impairment)
True or False: Due to the stress of a complaint, a psychologist may undermine their defense by prematurely agreeing to a resolution or admitting to violations they did not commit
(S5: G)
True
What are some of the sources of stress a psychologist may endure during a complaint process?
(S5: G)
- Length of time between notification and resolution
- length of time may depend on factors that do not concern the individual e.g. staff resources
- Time and money required to deal with complaint
- board meetings, providing records, lawyer fees, lost income - Finding appropriate personal and professional support
- not allowed to discuss case with anyone (can be very straining) - Rumors –> increasing self-consciousness
- especially problematic for psychologists in small communities - Steps of disciplinary action can cause stress
- meetings with board members, increase possibility of public attention, grief over anticipated loss of status
What are some of the emotional, psychological and behavioral responses psychologists may have to board complaints?
(S5: G)
- Denial/overconfidence
- May minimize seriousness of situation, may lead to impulsive responding, procrastination, and avoidance - Anxiety
- May be more likely to panic and attempt an informal solution with client (SABOTAGES case!) - Depression
- very common, 45% of psychologists facing complaint
- may be overly confessional, exaggerated sense of guilt
- may also compromise ability to deal with complaint demands e.g. returning phone calls, missing deadlines, etc
True or False: Complaints filed by clients with serious mental health illnesses are likely to be dismissed.
(S5: G)
True, BUT dismissal is not automatic because these clients are at least as vulnerable to mistreatment as other clients
What type of impacts might a complaint have on a psychologists clinical judgement?
(S5: G)
- increased number of mistakes
- increased anxiety with similar clients to the complainant
- general mistrust of clients
- decreased self confidence and sense of vulnerability
- kind clients may become subjects of countertransference
In what complaint situations are psychologists at greatest risk for clinical impairment
(S5: G)
When they continue to work with clients who case is the subject of an ethical complaint –> ethical landmine