Deck 6: Professional Issues and Ethical Practices

Question 1

In a typical managed care arrangement:

A)therapists must submit written treatment plans.
B)fees are set by the therapist.
C)referrals come from all areas.
D)there are unlimited sessions.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

An ethical code violation such as inappropriate advertising of one's services is likely to be met with a _______________ level sanction by the APA.

A)expulsion
B)educative
C)reprimand
D)censure

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The most common grounds for a malpractice suit is:

A)sexual involvement with a client.
B)business arrangements with a client.
C)divorce following therapy.
D)unsuccessful treatment.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Clients need to be told of the possible risks before commencing treatment.This is an example of:

A)peer review.
B)malpractice.
C)privileged communication.
D)informed consent.

Question 5

Mandating that certain courses be taken before license renewal is called:

A)peer review.
B)continuing education.
C)accreditation.
D)None of the answers are correct.

Question 6

The emergence of managed care has:

A)decreased the freedom of solo practitioners.
B)decreased the need for time-limited therapeutic procedures.
C)increased the freedom of solo practitioners.
D)encouraged long-term treatment.

Question 7

Defrauding insurance carriers is likely to be met with a _______________ level sanction by the APA.

A)expulsion
B)educative
C)reprimand
D)censure

Question 8

A _______________ law regulates who may practice in a state.

A)credentialing
B)certification
C)licensing
D)accreditation

Question 9

One way to avoid successful malpractice suits is to:

A)document treatment plans.
B)consult with colleagues.
C)do not go outside your area of competence.
D)All of the answers are correct.

Question 10

Which of the following is not a likely ground for bringing a suit for malpractice?​

A)Ineptitude
B)Carelessness
C)Negligence
D)Scheduling error

Question 11

Managed care programs typically involve:

A)independent private practice.
B)continuing education courses.
C)co-therapy.
D)prepaid insurance.

Question 12

In a managed care setup,therapists are usually referred to as:

A)psychologists.
B)counselors.
C)providers.
D)None of the answers are correct.

Question 13

Peer consultation groups typically involve:

A)independent private practice.
B)continuing education courses.
C)co-therapy.
D)prepaid insurance.

Question 14

Marital/family therapy is regulated in how many states?

A)All 50
B)Between 40 and 50
C)Less than 20
D)In only 5 states at this time

Question 15

Which of the following is not an element in a malpractice suit?

A)A breached standard of care
B)Therapist intentions
C)Plaintiff harm
D)Negligence

Question 16

Which of the following is a true statement?

A)Practitioners are expected to make correct judgments.
B)Practitioners are expected to predict the future behavior of their clients.
C)Practitioners are expected to be informed and act in good faith.
D)Practitioners are expected to deliver within an 85% range of symptom remediation.

Question 17

Managed care plans require:

A)fee for service providers.
B)preauthorization before therapy.
C)psychiatric supervision.
D)All of the answers are correct.

Question 18

Peer review refers to:

A)class discussion of cases.
B)review courses for state licensing exams.
C)independent evaluation by a colleague of one's procedures.
D)None of the answers are correct.

Question 19

Family therapists have sought licensing because:

A)they want legal recognition.
B)the public equates licensing with professionalism.
C)reimbursements from health plans require licensing.
D)All of the answers are correct.

Question 20

A certification law:

A)certifies who may use a title such as family therapist.
B)certifies who may practice family therapy.
C)is stronger than a licensing law.
D)is equivalent to a licensing law.

Question 21

Psychiatric consultants may be called upon for ________ evaluation or to hospitalize a client if the family therapist lacks hospital privileges or has not dealt with hospitalization in his or her training.

A)mental
B)marital
C)emotional
D)medical

Question 22

A legal exception to confidentiality maintenance occurs in the case of:

A)clients telling therapists secrets.
B)husbands and wives divulging secrets in individual sessions.
C)divulging information to third-party payors.
D)client admits to a fantasy of killing someone.

Question 23

The AAMFT Code of Ethics covers all but one of the following.Which one is not covered?

A)Confidentiality
B)Advertising
C)Financial arrangements
D)Training

Question 24

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)is intended to:

A)support HMOs over fee-for-services delivery.​
B)protect the security of health information transmitted by practitioners.
C)discourage private practice.
D)increase the number of practitioners in rural areas.

Question 25

_____________________ An ethical standard aimed at protecting client privacy by ensuring that information received in a therapeutic relationship will not be disclosed without prior client consent.

Question 26

_____________________ A system in which third-party payers regulate and control the cost,quality,and terms of treatment of medical (including mental health)services.

Question 27

Protecting a client from unauthorized disclosures by the therapist without prior consent is called:

A)information disclosure.
B)communication privileges.
C)right to silence.
D)confidentiality.

Question 28

Who "owns" the right to waive privilege regarding information obtained during a conjoint session?

A)The therapist
B)The husband or the wife
C)The couple
D)The courts

Question 29

_____________________ A legal concept addressing the failure to provide a level of professional skill or render a level of professional services ordinarily expected of professionals in a similar situation.

Question 30

A therapist who determines that there is imminent danger to someone the client vows to harm should:

A)warn the potential victim.
B)maintain client confidence.
C)wait to see if the threat is carried out.
D)remain neutral.

Question 31

"Family therapy may be hazardous to your health." This statement points to the fact that:

A)symptoms may develop in the course of treatment.
B)what most benefits the family as a whole may not be best for each member.
C)stress may accompany participation.
D)smoking is rarely allowed during therapy sessions.

Question 32

_____________________ The legal rights of patients or research subjects to be told of the purposes and risks involved before agreeing to participate.

Question 33

In the case of detected child abuse,the therapist should:

A)deliberate on whether to report it,depending on circumstances.
B)wait until therapy is over before reporting it.
C)report it immediately to the police or child welfare agency.
D)work out the problem with the family without reporting it to the proper authorities.

Question 34

Which of the following is true?

A)E-therapy is illegal.
B)E-therapy has been shown to be more effective than onsite therapy.
C)To minimize possible liability exposure,therapists should disclose possible advantages and drawbacks to using the internet for therapy.
D)The courts have stipulated circumstances when e-therapy should not be used.

Question 35

_____________________ A statutory process established by a government agency,usually a state or province,granting permission to persons,having met predetermined qualifications,to call themselves by a particular title,and prohibiting the use of that title without a certificate.

Question 36

Continuing or dramatic misconduct by a member of APA that results in a hazard to clients or the public could lead to:

A)an educative warning.
B)an educative advisory.
C)expulsion.
D)a mandated CE course.

Question 37

Supervisees should inform clients that:

A)they are being supervised.
B)they can not guarantee complete confidentiality.
C)the session may be recorded.
D)All of the answers are correct.

Question 38

In the case of parental abuse of a child described in the text,the therapist's priority is:

A)the child's welfare.
B)maintaining confidentiality.
C)exposing family secrets.
D)questioning the possibility of incest between the father and daughter.

Question 39

Which of the following is not an example of an ethical issue in family therapy is:

A)to whom the therapist owes primary loyalty.
B)how to deal with confidentiality.
C)when and how to diagnostically label family members.
D)a diagnositic disagreement with a supervisor.

Question 40

Which of the following is not relevant with respect to informed consent before commencing therapy:

A)describing procedures.
B)describing the limits of confidentiality.
C)risks of possible negative outcomes.
D)describing the techniques the therapist plans to use in treatment.

Question 41

_____________________ A legal concept protecting a client's disclosure to a therapist from being revealed in court;if the client waives the right,the therapist has no legal grounds for withholding the information.

Question 42

What is the role of a code of ethics? Does a code of ethics assure the ethical treatment of clients? Why? Why not?

Question 43

Discuss the significance of training and supervision.How does continuing education and supervision/consultation contribute to life long learning and professional development?

Question 44

How has managed care improved and detracted from mental health care service delivery? Discuss your answer from the perspective of both the practitioner and the client.

Question 45

Discuss the importance of regulating marriage and family therapy as a professional practice.Include in your answer the benefits to the public as well as to the profession.

Question 46

Discuss the role of confidentiality in family therapy. Under what circumstances can confidentiality be compromised?