Question

Continuing education courses sometimes tempt therapists to experiment on their patients or insert newfound skills into a patient's session, with or without the patient's consent. If a therapist practices a new skill on a patient, whether it is for the purpose of practicing or actually contributing to a patient's care:

A. The therapist should proceed without noting the technique used in the patient's record.
B. The therapist may practice without informed consent but should inform the patient after the session.
C. Informed consent must be established, but there is no need to note the technique in the patient's record.
D. Informed consent must be established, and the technique must be noted in the patient's record.

Answer 1

The ethical practice for a therapist using new skills on a patient requires obtaining informed consent and documenting the technique in the patient's record.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a therapist is considering using new skills learned from continuing education courses on a patient, the ethical practice is to secure informed consent before applying the technique. This ensures respect for the patient's autonomy and protection of their rights. It is also essential for the therapist to accurately note the utilization of the new technique in the patient's record to maintain transparency and accountability in the patient's care. Failure to do so could be considered a violation of ethical standards and potentially harm the trust between the therapist and the patient.