Our educational videos
The Physiotherapy Council of NSW has noted common themes in the types of complaints received about practitioners in NSW. As a result, the Council has produced a series of educational videos addressing areas of concern. These resources will educate the profession, further protect the health and safety of the public, and help physiotherapists improve the overall quality of their service. They also provide a valuable resource for physiotherapy students.
The videos explore four common themes:
- Conduct
- Use of Social Media
- Boundary Issues
- Recordkeeping.
These videos may be freely used for educational purposes and for any other purpose associated with the promotion of high professional standards within healthcare contexts. However, in doing so anyone using the videos should acknowledge that they were developed and funded by the Physiotherapy Council of NSW.
Videos
Conduct
- Physiotherapists must ensure they are familiar with, and fully adhere to, the professional Code of Conduct produced by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. A breach of the Code of Conduct may result in action taken by the health profession regulator.
- The improper use of HICAPS may be considered health fund fraud and a breach of the Code of Conduct, and could lead to legal consequences. Always process the correct patient after each treatment and do not use other family member’s names when charging.
Scenario set up
Incorrect response
Recommended response
Use of Social Media
- As physiotherapists hold a position of authority over their patients it is vital they remain professional in their use of social media.
- Personal relationships between practitioners and patients should be avoided. Practitioners should refer patients on for treatment if the professional relationship is compromised.
Scenario set up
Incorrect response
Recommended response
Boundary Issues
- Physiotherapists must communicate clearly with their patients and gain consent before carrying out any treatment. Clear communication is particularly important when treatment involves sensitive or intimate areas of a patient’s body. Informed consent must be recorded in the patient records each time, along with any potential miscommunications and misunderstandings that have occurred, in order to safeguard both the physiotherapist and the patient.
- If a patient initiates inappropriate contact, this must be recorded in the records. The patient should be referred to another physiotherapist for treatment.
Scenario set up
Incorrect response
Recommended response
Record-keeping
- Physiotherapists must maintain up-to-date and comprehensive patient records. If a patient requests a copy of their records the physiotherapist will need to provide these. Poor record-keeping can be grounds for a complaint.
- In order to maintain up-to-date and comprehensive patient records, allow a few minutes between patients to complete clinical records.
Scenario set up
Incorrect response
Recommended response
Videos with captions
Conduct
- Physiotherapists must ensure they are familiar with, and fully adhere to, the professional Code of Conduct produced by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. A breach of the Code of Conduct may result in action taken by the health profession regulator.
- The improper use of HICAPS may be considered health fund fraud and a breach of the Code of Conduct, and could lead to legal consequences. Always process the correct patient after each treatment and do not use other family member’s names when charging.
Scenario set up
Incorrect response
Recommended response
Use of Social Media
- As physiotherapists hold a position of authority over their patients it is vital they remain professional in their use of social media.
- Personal relationships between practitioners and patients should be avoided. Practitioners should refer patients on for treatment if the professional relationship is compromised.
Scenario set up
Incorrect response
Recommended response
Boundary Issues
- Physiotherapists must communicate clearly with their patients and gain consent before carrying out any treatment. Clear communication is particularly important when treatment involves sensitive or intimate areas of a patient’s body. Informed consent must be recorded in the patient records each time, along with any potential miscommunications and misunderstandings that have occurred, in order to safeguard both the physiotherapist and the patient.
- If a patient initiates inappropriate contact, this must be recorded in the records. The patient should be referred to another physiotherapist for treatment.
Scenario set up
Incorrect response
Recommended response
Record-keeping
- Physiotherapists must maintain up-to-date and comprehensive patient records. If a patient requests a copy of their records the physiotherapist will need to provide these. Poor record-keeping can be grounds for a complaint.
- In order to maintain up-to-date and comprehensive patient records, allow a few minutes between patients to complete clinical records.
Scenario set up
Incorrect response
Recommended response
Videos with audio descriptions
Conduct
- Physiotherapists must ensure they are familiar with, and fully adhere to, the professional Code of Conduct produced by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. A breach of the Code of Conduct may result in action taken by the health profession regulator.
- The improper use of HICAPS may be considered health fund fraud and a breach of the Code of Conduct, and could lead to legal consequences. Always process the correct patient after each treatment and do not use other family member’s names when charging.
Scenario set up
Incorrect response
Recommended response
Use of Social Media
- As physiotherapists hold a position of authority over their patients it is vital they remain professional in their use of social media.
- Personal relationships between practitioners and patients should be avoided. Practitioners should refer patients on for treatment if the professional relationship is compromised.
Scenario set up
Incorrect response
Recommended response
Boundary Issues
- Physiotherapists must communicate clearly with their patients and gain consent before carrying out any treatment. Clear communication is particularly important when treatment involves sensitive or intimate areas of a patient’s body. Informed consent must be recorded in the patient records each time, along with any potential miscommunications and misunderstandings that have occurred, in order to safeguard both the physiotherapist and the patient.
- If a patient initiates inappropriate contact, this must be recorded in the records. The patient should be referred to another physiotherapist for treatment.
Scenario set up
Incorrect response
Recommended response
Record-keeping
- Physiotherapists must maintain up-to-date and comprehensive patient records. If a patient requests a copy of their records the physiotherapist will need to provide these. Poor record-keeping can be grounds for a complaint.
- In order to maintain up-to-date and comprehensive patient records, allow a few minutes between patients to complete clinical records.
Scenario set up
Incorrect response
Recommended response