PT ETHICS: Safely Practicing a Hands-On Profession in the #Me Too/Him Too World

This course will satisfy the 2.5 credit Ethics requirement for Physical Therapy license renewal.  It is approved by the NJ Board of Physical Therapy Examiners through 1/31/26, approval code #2209-87.

Note: Jurisprudence is a separate requirement and should be taken on the NJ Board of Physical Therapy Examiners website (Jurisprudence Assessment Module (JAM)).

This course discusses issues relating to decision-making in health care by exploring various ethical dilemmas. Case presentations allow participants to explore the issues of the case.

The course will be held on Zoom; after a lecture portion, smaller group discussions will be held using Zoom breakout rooms. To attend this class, you MUST attend using a computer, tablet or smart phone. Because of the interactive nature of the breakout rooms, students may not attend solely by listening by phone.  Anyone registering for the course will receive a Zoom invitation by email 1-2 days in advance of the course from bridget@dsi-nj.com or heidi@dsi-nj.com.  Case studies for the class will also be attached to that invitation.

Course Objectives

• Recognize the potential boundary crossings, power gradient challenges inherent in a hands on profession.
• Propose potential solutions to challenging patient therapist relationships using ethical decision making strategies while using the core documents for guidance.
• Utilize tools to assist colleagues, employees and students in managing unintended consequences of certain hands on actions.
• Develop strategies to recognize risk and mitigate the impact of incorrectly perceived interpersonal contact.

Schedule and Outline:

6:30-7:30pm     Discussion of issues including:

• Definition of sexual harassment and assault
• Challenges of  practicing in a hands-on profession
• Sexual boundaries and  power gradient between patient and practitioners
• Prevention

7:30-9:15pm

• Case studies presented. Participants will be divided into small groups for case analysis, followed by discussion with entire audience. Relevant information will be provided by presenter as appropriate.

One 15 minute break will be provided.

About the Instructor:

Dr. Dennise Krencicki, PT, DPT, MA is an Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education in the DPT program of Rutgers- The State University of New Jersey on the Stratford campus. She teaches in the areas of professional issues, ethics, foundational courses and clinical education. She has her BS in PT from Boston University, MA in applied physiology from Columbia and her Post Professional DPT from UMDNJ. She is a trainer for both the basic and advanced APTA Clinical Instructor Credentialing Programs. She has been active in APTA, including serving terms as NJ Chapter President, Chief Delegate, Chair of the Chapter Ethics Committee and Active Delegate for 25 years. She also served as a physical therapist member of the NJ State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, having also served three terms as the Board Secretary and one term as the Vice Chairperson. She was recently appointed to a 5-year term on APTA’s Ethics and Judicial Committee.