Boundaries
The College continues to update and build on past initiatives in the area of ethics and professional boundaries. While there are a number of resources related to ethics and maintaining professional relationships with patients i.e. the Standard for Professional Practice: Establishing and Maintaining Therapeutic Relationships, the Guide to the Standard, the Code of Ethics and an ethical decision making tool registrants have indicated that a resource specific to understanding and maintaining professional boundaries would be helpful to their practice.The module is also available as an audio only podcast! Click on the appropriate link below to download for your favourite application ( will work with iPod or other mp3 players, iPhone, AppleTV, Quicktime, Windows Media Player or Flash Player).
Key Purpose of the Boundaries E-Learning Module
Physiotherapists’ awareness of boundary issues is an important part of ensuring positive patient-therapist relationships and preventing inappropriate behaviours. Ongoing attention to understanding and maintaining professional boundaries is essential to protecting patients. The purpose of this e-learning module is to provide a practical, scenario-based tool to not only assist physiotherapists to understand and prevent boundary-related issues, but also to provide tips and tools on how to manage the situation.Learning Objectives
1. To heighten awareness of professional boundaries and assist registrants to understand the following:
- the concepts of boundary crossing and boundary violation
- the warning signs or behaviours that could lead to a boundary crossing or boundary violation
- the steps to be taken should a boundary crossing or violation occur
2. To differentiate between personal and therapeutic relationships
3. To provide meaningful guidance in applying these concepts to practice
Video Chapters
Chapter 1: What are Professional Boundaries?Chapter 2: The Power Imbalance
Chapter 3: The Slippery Slope
Chapter 4: Prevention - Tools & Tips
At the end of each chapter you will find a link to a brief survey which you can also access by clicking here.
Static PDF Versions
Chapter 1: What are Professional Boundaries?Chapter 2: The Power Imbalance
Chapter 3: The Slippery Slope
Chapter 4: Prevention - Tools & Tips
Behaviour Questions Worksheet
Knowledge Questions Worksheet
Red Flags Summary
Self-Reflective Tests
Podcasts
Chapter 1Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
After listening to any of the above podcasts, please take a moment to complete a brief survey.
