CMT Professional Practice & Ethics Flashcards

What is the ethical obligation of a myofunctional therapist who discovers that a patient has experienced an adverse event (e.g., jaw pain worsening) during therapy?

Answer: Document the adverse event, modify or pause treatment, and refer to the appropriate provider

Adverse events must be documented in the clinical record, the treatment plan modified to prevent harm, and referral made if the issue is outside the therapist's scope, reflecting the duty of non-maleficence.

What does 'evidence-based practice' mean in the context of orofacial myofunctional therapy?

Answer: Integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values to guide treatment decisions

Evidence-based practice integrates current best research evidence, the therapist's clinical expertise, and the individual patient's preferences and values to make the best clinical decisions.

A myofunctional therapist is approached by a patient who wants to use therapy to treat a diagnosed tongue cancer. What is the correct response?

Answer: Decline to treat until the oncology team has cleared the patient and defined myofunctional therapy's appropriate role

Active malignancy requires oncological management; myofunctional therapy may have a rehabilitative role post-treatment, but the oncology team must define the appropriate timing and scope.

What is the professional obligation of a myofunctional therapist if they become aware that a colleague is practicing outside their scope?

Answer: Address the concern through appropriate professional channels or regulatory bodies to protect public safety

Professional ethics require that practitioners protect the public by reporting scope-of-practice violations through appropriate channels such as the credentialing organization or state licensing board.

Which of the following BEST describes the concept of 'dual relationship' and why it is an ethical concern in myofunctional therapy?

Answer: Having both a professional and personal relationship with a patient, creating potential for exploitation or bias

A dual relationship occurs when the therapist has both a therapeutic and personal or business relationship with a patient, which can compromise objectivity and create potential for exploitation or role confusion.

Under what circumstances is it ethically appropriate for a myofunctional therapist to terminate the therapeutic relationship?

Answer: When the patient has achieved treatment goals, when continued care would be harmful, or when the patient repeatedly violates practice policies after fair warning

Ethical termination is appropriate when goals are met, when continuing care would be harmful or outside scope, or when the patient repeatedly violates policies; the therapist must provide adequate notice and referrals.