Ethics and Professional Responsibilities

“Did you know? About 80% of the exam is focused on ethics and professional responsibilities. With PCE StudyBuddy, you’ll not just pass but excel with a perfect 100% score in this critical domain. Your success story begins here!”

Syllabus – What Is Covered?

Mandatory and Non-Mandatory Reporting of Child and Adult Abuse:

• Recognizing the signs and indicators of child and adult abuse, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect.
• Familiarity with the local laws and regulations regarding reporting abuse, including the designated reporting authorities.

How to Respond to an Abuse by a Patient:

• Implementing appropriate security measures within the clinic to ensure the safety of both staff and patients.
• Developing protocols for addressing abusive behavior, including de-escalation techniques and when to involve law enforcement if necessary.

How to Decide if a Minor is Mature Enough for Consent:

• Understanding the legal age of consent for medical treatment in your jurisdiction.
• Conducting a comprehensive assessment of a minor’s capacity to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare.

Differentiating Urgent and Non-Urgent Mental Health Conditions for Referral:

• Collaborating with mental health professionals to establish clear referral pathways.
• Regularly updating knowledge about mental health conditions and crisis intervention technques.

Understanding Roles of PT and PTA:

• Clearly defining the scope of practice for physiotherapists and physiotherapy assistants.
• Ensuring effective communication and supervision when working with PTAs.

When to Call a Doctor or Nurse vs. When to Call Emergency:

• Having a checklist or decision-making algorithm for determining the appropriate course of action in various medical emergencies.
• Keeping updated contact information for healthcare providers and emergency services.

How and When to Refer Patients to Other Healthcare Professionals:

• Maintaining a network of trusted healthcare specialists for referrals.
• Communicating effectively with patients about the need for specialized care and obtaining their consent for referrals.

Understanding Rostering and Delegation for Controlled Acts:

• Staying informed about changes in regulations regarding controlled acts and delegation in your region.
• Ensuring that delegated tasks are within the competency and training of the healthcare provider to whom they are delegated.

Treating Patients with Language Barriers:

• Utilizing professional interpreters when necessary.
• Creating translated materials or resources to aid in comunication with patients who have language barriers.

When to Discontinue Care:

• Developing a clear protocol for discontinuing care, including communication with the patient and documenting the reasons for discontinuation.
• Ensuring that alternative care options or referrals are provided when care is discontinued.

When to Continue Care Despite Consent Refusal:

• Establishing a process for addressing situations where patients initially refuse consent but may benefit from continued care.
• Documenting the discussions and decisions regarding care continuation in the patient’s medical record.

Understanding Documentation Guidelines and Record-Keeping for Therapist Safety:

• Regularly reviewing and updating documentation practices to align with legal and ethical standards.
• Implementing safeguards to protect patient information and maintain confidentiality.

Guidelines for Accepting Gifts:

• Setting clear boundaries for acceptable gifts, including their monetary value.
• Ensuring that gift acceptance does not influence treatment decisions or compromise professionalism.

Guidelines for Advertising Your Clinical Practice:

• Complying with advertising regulations related to healthcare in your jurisdiction.
• Regularly review and update your advertising materials to reflect accurate and current information about your practice.

Each of these additional points further elaborates on the areas you mentioned, providing a more comprehensive overview of the considerations and responsibilities within a physiotherapy practice.