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Case 6

Up to this point, has the physiotherapist violated Code 2 & Example 6, of Appendix I, p29 (Code of Practice)?

Answer
No.

One week later, Mom and infant returned with a note from the doctor that read "treat the patient pleaseˇ¨. The PT telephoned the doctor and attempted to persuade the doctor that physiotherapy intervention was not appropriate for this case and other types of investigation to find out why the infant habitually tilted his head was necessary. To her surprise the doctor told her to "stretch anyway and treat the motherˇ¨.

The PT explained to the Mom that PT intervention was not indicated and advised the Mom to seek ophthalmology consultation.

At this point, has the PT violated Code 2, Example 4?
No.

Does the situation describe a case of abandonment?
No.

Does the PT owe the client a legal duty of care? ie to take steps to find another suitable caregiver?
Yes. It is a case of example 4 of the PT Board's Code of Practice.

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