TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Boundary Issues A1 - Kirsch, Nancy R. PY - 2018 T2 - Ethics in Physical Therapy: A Case-Based Approach AB - It is the very nature of physical therapy to become very close with patients. As a health care professional, we are granted a license to touch other people. There is a delicate balance between the important interpersonal relationship developed between the therapist and their patient while still maintaining the necessary boundary that reinforces the integrity of the patient–therapist relationship. At the core of this relationship is trust and that is another reason why the boundary must be defined. There are many potential opportunities for boundary crossings. Some of them are just a small crossing of the line such as accepting an invitation to an event hosted by a patient, and returning to the “safe side” of the line is easy to do. Other boundary crossings are quite egregious and obviously inappropriate such as having intimate relationships with a patient. There is a definite professional barrier to returning to the appropriate side of the line. Another common boundary issue in PT is managing dual relationships for example, the patient who is also the therapist’s friend. A patients family member who becomes romantically involved with the PT or PTA. The ultimate responsibility for maintaining a professional relationship belongs with the therapist. However, it is not always the therapist who crosses boundaries. Sometimes, it is the patient who crosses the line; however, the responsibility to maintain professional limits still is of the therapist. Confounding boundary issues is also the responsibility of the therapist to recognize the potential for a power gradient issue. The physical therapist by virtue of their role has power and must have the self-awareness to recognize when that power could be used inappropriately or misinterpreted by a patient. Table Graphic Jump Location|Download (.pdf)|PrintA Family AffairA dual relationshipWho SentMea Text?Social media boundary violationCrossing the professional chiasmPower gradient SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/29 UR - accessphysiotherapy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1151751221 ER -