Providing or Refusing FAQs

FAQs: Providing or Refusing Care

• What should I do if a patient is acting inappropriately or being disrespectful toward myself or other patients at the clinic?

  Describe the behaviour to the patient objectively and tell them why it is a problem to you and perhaps other patients at the clinic. During the discussion outline your expectations for behaviour and make sure they understand the consequences of not changing their behaviour. Continue to monitor the situation and follow up with the patient. If a professional boundary has been breached and all reasonable steps have been taken to manage it, you may choose to stop treatment

  Review the Providing or Refusing Care Standard for more information.
  

   

  If you still have questions feel free to contact the Practice Advisor to talk it through. Email practiceadvice@collegept.org or call 1-800-583-5885 or 647-484-8800.

  Email the Practice Advisor
  
  

  
  

• Some patients smell strongly of cigarettes. Can I refuse to treat them?

  No, you must continue to treat them.

  You cannot discontinue needed treatment just because a patient smells bad, but you can take steps to improve the situation. Have a discussion with the patient. Describe the issue as objectively and respectfully as possible and offer a suggestion. For example, your clothing smells strongly of cigarettes and it is impacting my ability to provide treatment to you. Is it possible for you to bring some freshly washed clothes to change into when you arrive for your appointment?
  
  For further details, the Providing or Refusing Care Standard outlines the criteria for discharging patients.
  
  Read the Standard

• Is there any harm in providing treatment sessions to a fully capable patient who appears to not want to attend/participate, but comes because their son brings them?

  Let’s be clear. A professional (physiotherapist) must obtain consent from the capable patient for any care delivered – assessment or treatment. The patient sounds like they required more information and reassurance about their care to be able to consent to participate. You might want to take time to ask what their concerns are, to understand how best you can meet their needs and to support them to fully participate.
  
  

• Can physiotherapists provide mobile care/supplementary care in facilities like hospitals or long-term care homes (LTCs)?

  Yes, it may be permitted if a patient or the patient’s substitute decision maker (SDM) requests that a physiotherapist provides supplementary care to a patient who is receiving physiotherapy care in a facility.  
  
  Physiotherapists who are contracted to work with patients in a hospital or another facility are typically expected to know and adhere to the facility’s policies and guidelines. These policies may vary depending on the specific requirements of the facility, but they generally aim to ensure patient safety, privacy, and maintain the overall integrity of the healthcare institution. 
  
  The PTs involved in the care of the patient need to work collaboratively to ensure the best possible outcomes. They must take reasonable steps to understand what other care the patient is receiving and ensure that the treatment they are providing is compatible to prevent unnecessary duplication of services. There needs to be clear communication between the facility PT and the contracted PT to coordinate treatment approaches. 
  
  With the patient’s consent, the physiotherapists may be able to share their documentation. This helps keep all members of the patient’s circle of care up to date on the care that both PTs are providing for the patient.  
  
  In summary, it’s important to have clear communication for the best coordination of care and to avoid duplication of services, along with the patient’s consent for information sharing. Both PTs are responsible and accountable for managing the collaborative relationship, including handling any conflicts that arise.