Page 12 - OPTA Access Fall 2022

COMMITTEE & SIG REPORTS
Ethics Committee Report Kari Carroll, PTA – Ethics Committee Member
IT REMAINS
O U R P R I O R I T Y TO HELP OUR MEMBERS DECIPHER COMPLEX
S I T U AT I O N S AND MAKE THE MOST ETHICAL DECISION POSSIBLE TO PROTECT THEIR PATIENTS AND LICENSE
The PHE, with all of its associated mental health concerns, has brought to the forefront the issue
of drug and alcohol abuse. This led people to increased recognition of the signs of substance abuse as well as an increased awareness of how this problem develops. Although drug and alcohol abuse are not a new issue, the OTPTAT Licensure Board recently reminded us that healthcare workers are at an increased risk of developing substance abuse disorders due to having more access to drugs to misuse and the stress of the current healthcare environment. The most recent OTPTAT Licensure Board newsletter highlighted our duty to report suspicious behavior.This article is very timely since we have seen a rise in substance abuse infractions over the past five years.The Ethics Committee recognizes that it may be uncomfortable to report
a colleague for substance abuse and we are here to help. It remains a top priority of our committee
to help our members decipher complex situations and make the most ethical decision possible to protect their patients and their license. If you need help deciding whether to report or not, visit our webpage on the OPTA website. At the bottom of this page, you will find a section called, Is My First Thought Right? This Seems Wrong!
Pose An Ethical Dilemma Below! Simply provide us with
a description of the event, the work setting in which it occurred, and your ethical question and we will be happy to help you.
Another ethical issue stemming from the PHE is telehealth. The Ethics Committee addressed this topic
at OPTA’s Annual Conference, Transform 2022. Recent changes in health care delivery have given physical therapy providers in Ohio an opportunity to treat
patients from the safety and convenience of their homes via remote delivery of care. While this is an exciting opportunity, there is a multitude of ethical considerations that must be taken to guarantee the standards of care are being met. If you have questions or concerns about how you are practicing this skill, please don’t hesitate to reach out for answers. Throughout the past year, the Ethics Committee has advocated that permanent privilege be given to therapists to appropriately utilize telehealth to ensure access to care for our patients, especially those in rural and underserved areas.
We have advocated, not only for telehealth but also for the other priorities of the APTA and OPTA. We thank the membership for helping to make this past year a success for the Ethics Committee with participation in our CEU events as well as using the portal on the OPTA website. We look forward to being of continued service.
For more information, please contact Kari at:
kari.carroll@ec-rehab.com
Ethics has been a hot topic this past year with us seeing a rise in substance abuse infractions, an ongoing public health emergency (PHE) with all its subsequent mental health issues, and an industry losing staff requiring the utilization of telehealth to ensure access to timely care. January 2022 brought you an exciting Lunch & Learn, Hot Off The Press! – Ethics in Ohio where we discussed the top five infractions, guides for ethical decision-making, and newer ethical implications that rose from the PHE. This webinar remains available on-demand in OPTA’s catalog. Due to popular demand, next year’s Lunch & Learn Ethics webinar is already in the works. Be on the lookout as you won’t want to miss it.
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