Ethical standards of physical therapist assistant and suspected impairment of patient

Ethics in Action : Suspected Impairment

Ethics is defined as the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation . For the physical therapy assistant it means a standardized conduct geared towards proper and successful patient care . The physical therapist assistant follows a certain standard for ethical conduct to effectively aid physical therapists and to be sensitive and efficient health workers

In this situation , we are dealing with the case of a 35 year old stressed-out woman with an odd behavior , who later on presented with slurring

of speech . Slurring of speech can be due to many factors but majority of which are associated with cerebrovascular disease or stroke In this situation , we are going to apply the American Physical Therapy Association Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant

The seven standards of ethical conduct seem to show us the values of an ideal physical therapy assistant : respect , trustworthiness , competence compliance to legislations and responsibility

In analyzing this case , we realize various problems . At the start of the session , the patient was behaving oddly . Although she claims to be euphoric , signs of lethargy still seemed apparent . Later on , she succumbs to this lethargy or generalized body malaise by falling asleep on the mat . Later on , she manifests slurring of speech , which may be due to some problems . The most common cause of slurring of speech is stroke Other factors that may cause this manifestation are electrolyte imbalance caused by strenuous physical activity , side effects of medications or it is simply due to drowsiness

However we see an imminent danger she lives far from the clinic where you live and wants to drive all by herself - in her condition

We quickly realize a possible outcome - the danger of meeting accidents on the road in her condition

Recognizing our problem , some of our values as physical therapist assistants are challenged . The situation challenges our respect towards our client . Respect is defined as consideration and the avoidance of interfering with or intruding upon . In this case , we are breaching against the right of the patient to make her own decisions . We seem to not respect this right because we want to have things done our own way and not hers

Thus , this situation does not only concern our patient it also concerns the physical therapy assistant . In this situation , we are having a patient-health care professional relationship . In turn , this situation challenges us to practice the rest of the 7 standards of ethical conduct . This situation motivates us to practice trustworthiness towards our patient . In this sense , we should show our patient how worthy we are of their trust towards us . We should show them that we are concerned about their health and well-being

We should explain to our patient that we think driving in our condition poses a hazard to her and makes her prone to road accidents . By doing this , we should tell her our real intention - that we are just after her health and...