discuss this client’s condition because there was no one else in the office to hear them. Reflection: How did the therapist act unethically in this situation? Analysis: Regardless of whether or not there was anyone in the office, the therapist acted unethically and breached the confidentiality rights of the client in this case. All information related to the client’s medical file, including identifying information, is subject to the HIPAA Privacy rules and the therapist’s professional standards and code of ethics. The therapist is bound to safeguard all information from the medical record to preserve the patient’s privacy from exposure to anyone, even office staff. The receptionist had no need or right to know anything about the client’s condition because she was not treating him or consulting on the case as a treating professional. Also, her role as receptionist did not include the transmission of information to other healthcare professionals or insurance companies, as that role is assigned to another staff member. Her role did not provide her with the right to access any information contained in the medical record. In this case, the client’s right to privacy and confidentiality concerning medical information was breached, because only the therapist had the right to know that information. He had the ethical obligation to protect it from all others not directly involved in his care or financial/ insurance reimbursement. based on continued education and training from approved providers, and remain within the scope of their practice and level of competency. Practitioners must rely on their professional standards, code of ethics, rules of conduct, state and federal regulations, organizational guidelines, and sound decision-making models to inform their ethical practice. Massage and bodywork therapists are now integrated in health, fitness, and sports rehabilitation, and a variety of healthcare agencies and service providers. Corporate, educational, and government funded facilities will require strict adherence to ethical standards and state and federal regulations that protect the public. The professional therapist and bodywork professional must meet the challenge to adapt to the needs and demands of diverse communities with expanding health care needs. They must build a practice that projects high standards of ethical conduct and professional practice that welcomes all clients.
issues, so the therapist would need to consult state law and other resources such as employer or agency policy. In some states the 17 year old’s communication would be protected by privacy and confidentiality law. The therapist was not obligated to accompany the client when confronting the parents about her situation. Because the parent immediately called the manager, it may be important to work on strengthening the lines of communication with the parents as well as a need to reset boundaries if this client continues to see this therapist in the future. CASE STUDY A massage therapist and his receptionist were working in a small private massage and bodywork practice in an upscale community. The therapist recently began treating a major television celebrity who had a stained back due to an injury from playing golf. The receptionist asked if the client was Mr.______, who was the star of a TV show, and the therapist supplied his name and acknowledged he was the star of that show. The two discussed the fact that they were treating this star and began talking about the nature and severity of his injury. The receptionist asked how severe the injury was and how long he might continue sessions at the office. The therapist revealed that the diagnostic tests, including an MRI, indicated a moderate to severe injury that might require surgery, so he would probably be visiting the office for a long duration. The two felt that it was permissible to Conclusion As the popularity, integration, and acceptance of massage therapy and bodywork throughout the healthcare field continues to increase, so will the demand for professional practitioners who trained in a variety of techniques and are well versed in the area of ethical practice. Therapists will need to expand their practice to keep pace with the profession that has expanded to treat a wide variety of mental and physical conditions, and a more diverse client base. Many insurance companies cover massage and bodywork therapy as these professions are gaining acceptance and value in the medical community as collaborative partners. This growth requires the massage and bodywork professional to increase their knowledge in the field of ethics including confidentiality and privacy issues included in the HIPAA Rules that govern the electronic sharing, maintenance and storage of protected client information. These positive changes in the profession increase the need for comprehensive knowledge and application of the principles of ethical conduct as the profession joins mainstream acceptance in the community. Therapists will face increased regulation as they are integrated into medical models, so best practice for informed consent, records maintenance, confidentiality, privacy regulations, and professional standards of conduct will be closely monitored as a condition of practice. Therapists must recognize the importance of evidence-based practice modalities to ensure the safety of their clients. They must enhance their practice
WORKS CITED https://qr2.mobi/ethics-massage3
Self-Assessment Answers and Rationales
3. The correct answer is c. Rationale: Consult supervising personnel while ignoring the rules of confidentiality. 4. The correct answer is d. Rationale: Using a provocative picture in advertising.
1. The correct answer is c. Rationale: Provide therapy solely for the gender of the therapist’s choice. 2. The correct answer is a. Rationale: Clients cannot ask the therapist to diagnose medical conditions.
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Book Code: MMD0926
EliteLearning.com/Massage-Therapy
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