Group items tagged

Atwal, A., & Caldwell, K. (2003). Ethics, occupational therapy and discharge planning: Four broken principles. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 50(4), 244-251. This article examines ethical dilemmas occupational therapists may face during discharge planning. Data was collected from ten occupational therapists to determine how well therapists are able to follow the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Researchers found that the therapists in this study unintentionally breached these four principles. The authors speculate that a push for speedy discharges leaves many therapists facing ethical dilemmas. The authors offer solutions for eliminating breaches of each of the four ethical principles listed above. They suggest that utilizing a multidisciplinary approach may offer a means of discussing ethical concerns so that practitioners are better able to provide ethical care.