AOTA Ethics & Professional Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An OT using sensory integration therapy posts a client's progress video on social media to demonstrate treatment effectiveness. Which AOTA ethical principle is most clearly violated?
- Beneficence (Correct answer)
- Justice
- Fidelity
- Veracity
Correct answer: Beneficence
Sharing identifiable client information without consent violates Beneficence by placing the client at risk of harm through privacy breach.
Question 2: A certified sensory integration therapist is asked by a school district to provide SI therapy to 30 students simultaneously in a gymnasium. What is the most ethical response?
- Comply because the school district is the employer
- Refuse because group SI therapy is never appropriate
- Negotiate a treatment model that maintains quality and safety standards (Correct answer)
- Accept if parental consent is obtained
Correct answer: Negotiate a treatment model that maintains quality and safety standards
The OT must advocate for service delivery models that uphold professional standards while working collaboratively with the employer.
Question 3: Under the AOTA Code of Ethics, the principle of Fidelity primarily requires OTs to:
- Ensure equitable access to services for all clients
- Be honest and accurate in all professional communications
- Treat colleagues and other professionals with respect (Correct answer)
- Provide services only within their scope of competence
Correct answer: Treat colleagues and other professionals with respect
Fidelity requires occupational therapists to treat colleagues, students, and other professionals with respect, fairness, and integrity.
Question 4: An OT with SI certification discovers a colleague is billing for SI therapy sessions that did not occur. The most appropriate first step is to:
- Report immediately to state licensing board
- Confront the colleague directly and document the interaction (Correct answer)
- Ignore it to avoid workplace conflict
- Report anonymously to the payer
Correct answer: Confront the colleague directly and document the interaction
Direct confrontation allows the colleague an opportunity to correct the situation, and documentation creates a record if further action becomes necessary.
Question 5: A parent requests that the OT provide SI therapy without conducting a standardized assessment because they cannot afford the evaluation fee. Ethically, the OT should:
- Proceed with therapy since the parent gave informed consent
- Decline to treat until a full standardized battery is completed
- Explain that clinical decision-making for SI requires assessment and explore fee reduction options (Correct answer)
- Rely solely on parent report to guide treatment
Correct answer: Explain that clinical decision-making for SI requires assessment and explore fee reduction options
Competent SI practice requires adequate assessment; the OT should uphold this standard while also advocating for the client's access through financial alternatives.
Question 6: Which scenario best illustrates the AOTA ethical principle of Veracity in sensory integration practice?
- An OT adjusts treatment goals based on new evidence
- An OT accurately represents the evidence base and limitations of SI therapy to a client's family (Correct answer)
- An OT refers a client to a more experienced SI therapist
- An OT maintains client records in a secure location
Correct answer: An OT accurately represents the evidence base and limitations of SI therapy to a client's family
Veracity requires truthfulness, including honest communication about what research does and does not support regarding SI therapy outcomes.
Question 7: An OT practicing sensory integration discovers that a new intervention technique being promoted at a conference lacks peer-reviewed evidence. Applying the AOTA Code of Ethics, the OT should:
- Adopt the technique immediately if it appears logical
- Use it only after obtaining client consent
- Critically evaluate the evidence before incorporating it into practice (Correct answer)
- Avoid all techniques not endorsed by AOTA
Correct answer: Critically evaluate the evidence before incorporating it into practice
The principle of Beneficence requires OTs to use evidence-based practices and critically evaluate new techniques before applying them to clients.
AOTA Ethics & Professional Standards 2
An OT using sensory integration therapy posts a client's progress video on social media to demonstrate treatment effectiveness.
Which AOTA ethical principle is most clearly violated?