1. Situation: Charlotte is an occupational therapist attending an at-home visit for a six-year-old girl named Hannah who shows visible signs of anxiety, isolation, and uncontrollable anger outbursts. Lucas is an occupational therapy student, who is observing Charlotte. During a session, Charlotte notices that Hannah is having difficulty walking, and Hannah tells Charlotte that it hurts to go to the bathroom. Hannah then mentions, “Daddy does bad things that hurt me.” Charlotte asks Hannah what “bad things” her dad does to her, but Hannah becomes afraid and tells Charlotte that her dad says it is only supposed to be “their secret.” Charlotte doesn’t want to make Hannah uncomfortable, so she moves on and doesn’t do anything about it. Lucas notices that Charlotte isn’t going to do anything about this. What should Lucas do?
2. Code of Ethics
2.1. Core Values
2.1.1. Altruism
2.1.2. Truth
2.2. Ethical Principals
2.2.1. Beneficence
2.2.1.1. Related Standards of Conduct:
2.2.1.2. Exercising professional judgement for evaluation and intervention
2.2.2. Justice
2.2.2.1. Related Standards of Conduct:
2.2.2.2. Awareness of laws and policies
2.2.2.3. Reporting unethical or illegal acts
3. Stakeholders
3.1. This situation could impact...
3.1.1. Charlotte
3.1.1.1. Loss of license for failure to adhere to conduct
3.1.1.2. Achieve desired outcome of OT
3.1.1.3. Lucas
3.1.1.3.1. Moral Distress
3.1.1.3.2. Avoid moral distress
3.1.2. Hannah
3.1.2.1. At risk of staying in an abusive household
3.1.2.2. Receive adequate support
3.1.3. Hannah's Family
3.1.3.1. Hannah and her mom will remain in danger
3.1.3.2. Hannah's father could be removed from the family
4. Two possible courses of Action
4.1. Lucas can ignore the issue and not address Charlotte
4.1.1. Fear of speaking up
4.2. Respectfully approach Charlotte
4.2.1. Mention that as an OTS, he must document what happens in a session
4.2.2. Talk to a supervisor or fieldwork coordinator
4.3. BEST COURSE OF ACTION
4.3.1. Option number 2