OTR Professional Ethics & Standards 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An OTR working in a school setting is asked by a teacher to share a student's IEP-related OT notes. The OTR should:
- Share the notes freely since schools are exempt from HIPAA
- Follow FERPA guidelines and share only with staff who have a legitimate educational interest (Correct answer)
- Refuse to share any information under any circumstances
- Obtain written parental consent before sharing any information
Correct answer: Follow FERPA guidelines and share only with staff who have a legitimate educational interest
School-based OT records are governed by FERPA, which permits sharing with school staff who have a legitimate educational interest in the student.
Question 2: An OTR who posts a client's photo showing progress on social media, even without using the client's name, most likely violates:
- AOTA's principle of justice
- HIPAA and the principle of confidentiality (Correct answer)
- The principle of nonmaleficence only
- No ethical standard if the client's face is obscured
Correct answer: HIPAA and the principle of confidentiality
Posting any identifiable client information, including progress photos, without explicit written authorization violates HIPAA and confidentiality obligations.
Question 3: Which of the following situations represents a dual relationship that could compromise objectivity?
- Treating a client referred by a former colleague
- Providing OT services to a close personal friend (Correct answer)
- Treating clients of different cultural backgrounds
- Working with clients across multiple diagnoses
Correct answer: Providing OT services to a close personal friend
Treating a close personal friend creates a dual relationship that may impair professional judgment and compromise the therapeutic relationship.
Question 4: When an OTR identifies a conflict between an employer's policy and a client's best interest, the OTR's primary obligation is to:
- The employer, since the employer provides resources for client care
- The client's well-being, while working within legal and ethical frameworks (Correct answer)
- The payer, as reimbursement drives service availability
- The state licensing board's standards exclusively
Correct answer: The client's well-being, while working within legal and ethical frameworks
The AOTA Code of Ethics places the client's welfare as the primary obligation of OT practitioners.
Question 5: An OTR practicing in a new specialty area should:
- Begin practicing independently once licensed
- Obtain appropriate training, supervision, and/or certification before practicing competently (Correct answer)
- Consult only with colleagues informally
- Limit practice to observation without documentation
Correct answer: Obtain appropriate training, supervision, and/or certification before practicing competently
Competence requires adequate preparation before practicing in a new area, including training, mentorship, and any required credentials.
Question 6: An OTR's documentation must meet which of the following standards?
- Be completed only at the end of the week for efficiency
- Be accurate, timely, and reflect the actual services provided (Correct answer)
- Use professional jargon to demonstrate expertise
- Include only positive outcomes to support continued reimbursement
Correct answer: Be accurate, timely, and reflect the actual services provided
Ethical and legal documentation standards require accuracy, timeliness, and truthful representation of services rendered.
Question 7: A practitioner who continues to treat a client beyond what is medically necessary primarily in order to generate income is violating which principle?
- Autonomy
- Fidelity
- Nonmaleficence (Correct answer)
- Justice
Correct answer: Nonmaleficence
Providing unnecessary treatment exposes clients to unnecessary risk and financial burden, violating the principle of nonmaleficence (do no harm).
OTR Professional Ethics & Standards 4
An OTR working in a school setting is asked by a teacher to share a student's IEP-related OT notes.
The OTR should: