Suggestions

Permission for Use

Ethical Allocation of Resources in Provision of Occupational Therapy Services

Lea Cheyney Brandt, OTD, OTR/L

Introduction

The following case examines concepts of justice, fidelity, and beneficence, all of which relate to overarching organizational ethics issues encountered in occupational therapy practice. Organizational ethics pertains to the ethical responsibilities attributed to organizations and providers, as business practices continue to influence institutional and professional behavior [8]. Provision of services in the healthcare environment has become much more complex in recent years with the introduction of a more explicit market approach to service delivery [4]. Occupational therapy practitioners are especially prone to encounter organizational ethics based dilemmas as they relate to the delivery of rehabilitation services in today’s complex healthcare environment [7].

Objectives

1. To identify organizational barriers influencing the ethical provision of occupational therapy services.
2. To understand the occupational therapy provider’s responsibility in applying the Occupational Therapy Ethics Standards in practice.
3. To garner a basic understanding of the occupational therapy provider’s potential role in addressing issues of justice.
4. To become familiar with professional ethics resources, which may assist in resolving ethical dilemmas encountered in practice.