Professional Ethics & Standards Flashcards

An OTR discovers that a colleague is billing for services not rendered. What is the most appropriate first step?

Answer: Address the concern with the colleague or supervisor first per facility policy

AOTA ethics guidelines recommend addressing concerns through established channels, typically starting with the colleague or supervisor before escalating.

Which AOTA ethical principle obligates an OTR to maintain current knowledge and skills?

Answer: Beneficence

Beneficence includes the duty to provide competent care, which requires maintaining up-to-date knowledge and skills.

A client asks the OTR to keep a safety concern secret from the treatment team. The OTR should:

Answer: Disclose the safety concern to the team despite the client's wishes

Client safety is a paramount concern that overrides confidentiality when there is imminent risk of harm.

The principle of 'veracity' in the AOTA Code of Ethics most directly refers to:

Answer: Providing truthful, accurate information

Veracity obligates OT practitioners to provide honest, accurate, and objective information in all professional communications.

An OTR is asked by an employer to document services under a different billing code to increase reimbursement. This action would violate which principle?

Answer: Veracity

Falsifying billing codes is fraudulent documentation and directly violates the principle of veracity (truthfulness).

Which body is primarily responsible for establishing and enforcing OT ethical standards at the national level in the US?

Answer: AOTA

AOTA establishes the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, though NBCOT and state boards enforce their own conduct standards.

An OTR who accepts a gift of significant monetary value from a client most likely violates which ethical principle?

Answer: Fidelity

Fidelity requires maintaining appropriate professional boundaries; accepting significant gifts can compromise the therapeutic relationship and objectivity.