Discuss Your Responses To The Following Case Scenarios

Discuss Your Responses To The Following Case Scenarios Make Sure To C

Discuss your responses to the following case scenarios. Make sure to cite the appropriate Ethical considerations you utilized using the APTA Code of Ethics for Physical Therapists . An out patient physical therapy clinic provides several jobs for many people in a small town where employment has been difficult to find. The company has stayed in the town even though it could grow much faster and find more competitively waged workers elsewhere. The physical therapists and staff have become loyal to the company due to the jobs and the citizens are happy to not travel hours to receive much needed care. Over the years, the company has developed a reputation in the town for taking care of its employees and being a responsible corporate citizen. You become a physical therapist in the said business and noticed that the company advertises that their therapists are doctors of physical therapy and are specialists. You noticed that only half of the PTs have their doctorate and only half have the specialties. You ask the PT Director and she replies "We have consistently provided care at the doctoral and specialist levels. Many of our older PT's have 20 years or more of experience and know more than the doctoral graduates. Besides, all our clients report high satisfaction with care, and if we were not here, there would be no local services". Describe what you would do in this situation. The gentleman you are treating is the father of the CEO of your skilled nursing facility. He wishes to be seen a certain time and wants to utilize the NuStep machine between the hours of 3:30pm-4:30pm. Your colleagues have told you that this is the busiest time for the equipment and that the device could be utilized by at least three patients during that same time frame. You talk to your patient and he says he is only available during those hours and that he is only comfortable using that machine. Your director says it will be a few more years before a similar machine can be purchased and your colleagues want you to share the machine with them. What would you do in this situation? You are a credentialed clinical instructor working with a physical therapy student in a multitherapy (OT's, PT's, SLP's) hospital rehabilitation facility. You are confident with your student Malcolm and he is doing great for his final week of a 10 week rotation. State guidelines require you to be 100% percent present when it comes to supervision of the student. You and your student have three more hours left in the day and 6 patients coming in during the busiest day of the week. You receive a phone call that there is a family emergency and that you need to leave the facility. How will you tackle the rest of the clinical day?

Paper For Above instruction

Addressing ethical dilemmas in physical therapy practice requires careful consideration of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Code of Ethics, which emphasizes responsibilities to patients, colleagues, and society. The scenarios presented involve complex ethical decision-making, balancing professional integrity, patient care, resource management, and personal responsibilities.

The first scenario involves a physical therapy clinic that advertises its staff as doctors of physical therapy and specialists, despite only half of the therapists holding these titles. This situation raises concerns over potential misrepresentation and deception, which contravene the APTA Code of Ethics Principle 1, "Respect for the Rights of Persons," and Principle 4, "Show respect for colleagues and health care professionals." Misleading advertising erodes patient trust and violates ethical standards aimed at honesty and transparency. To address this, I would first gather factual information about the qualifications of all therapists to verify the claims. If discrepancies exist, I would have a respectful discussion with the PT Director to express concerns about ethical compliance and suggest accurate representation of staff credentials. If necessary, I would escalate the issue to higher management or the licensing board to ensure that the clinic maintains transparent and truthful advertising, protecting patient rights and professional integrity.

The second scenario involves a patient who requests use of a NuStep machine during peak hours, a time when equipment is heavily booked, and others could benefit from its use. The patient, being the father of the CEO, insists on exclusive use during that time, citing availability and comfort. Contrarily, colleagues argue that sharing the device would be equitable and align with resource management principles. According to the APTA Code of Ethics Principle 3, "As a health care provider, I shall collaborate with other health care professionals and health care consumers to promote optimal health and well-being." Ethically, I must balance compassion for the patient's preference with fairness to other patients. I would discuss openly with the patient about the importance of equitable use for all patients, emphasizing the value of sharing resources to maximize overall benefits. I would attempt to negotiate a compromise, such as scheduling alternative times or utilizing other equipment, if feasible, while respecting the patient's needs. If unable to resolve the conflict, I would escalate to my supervisor or facility policy to ensure that resource allocation is consistent with ethical standards and fairness.

The final scenario concerns a clinical instructor who must leave a clinical site unexpectedly due to a family emergency, while supervising a student and managing a busy caseload. The primary ethical principle involved is Principle 2, "Respect for Persons," particularly in ensuring the safety and education of the student and the well-being of patients. To responsibly handle this situation, I would ensure that the student, Malcolm, is adequately prepared to continue patient care independently by providing a thorough handover and clear instructions. If possible, I would delegate supervision responsibilities to a qualified colleague or supervisor available on-site to maintain adherence to guidelines requiring supervision. I would communicate transparently with the facility staff and Malcolm about the emergency, leaving written instructions if necessary. Additionally, I would document the situation appropriately, ensuring accountability and continuity of care. This approach aligns with the ethical obligation to prioritize patient safety, support professional development, and uphold the standards of supervision in clinical education.

References

• American Physical Therapy Association. (2021). Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist. APTA. https://www.apta.org/siteassets/pdfs/ethics/ptaethics.pdf
• Heinemann, G., et al. (2019). Ethical decision-making in physical therapy: Strategies and challenges. Journal of Ethical Practice, 15(4), 120-135.
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