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Ethical Boundaries with Patients and Colleagues

Course Description

Ethical Boundaries with Patients and Colleagues is a course for doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, dentists, and allied health professionals who want to strengthen professional relationships and avoid conflicts, misconduct, or regulatory concerns.

The course covers expectations set by national and provincial regulators, including the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics, the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) Standards, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), and Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons across provinces.

It explores key areas such as maintaining appropriate patient–professional relationships, managing collegial dynamics, handling conflicts of interest, avoiding favouritism or harassment, and upholding dignity and respect in all professional interactions. The course is especially valuable for professionals seeking professional development or those involved in remediation or fitness to practise processes.

Course Content

Course Objectives
Course Objectives
Section 1: Introduction to Ethical Boundaries
1.1 Defining Ethical Boundaries
1.2 Why Ethical Boundaries Matter
1.3 Regulatory Context
1.4 Ethical Boundaries in Practice
1.5 Reflective Quiz
Section 2: Principles of Ethical Boundaries
2.1 Respect: The Foundation of Boundaries
2.2 Trust: Building and Safeguarding Confidence
2.3 Integrity: Doing the Right Thing Consistently
2.4 Professionalism and Accountability
2.5 Fairness and Equity
2.6 Reflection and Self-Awareness
2.7 Principles in Practice
2.8 Reflective Quiz
Section 3: Ethical Boundaries with Patients
3.1 Power Imbalance in the Patient–Professional Relationship
3.2 Risks of Over-Familiarity, Gifts, and Dual Relationships
3.3 Digital Contact and Confidentiality Challenges
3.4 Case Examples of Boundary Dilemmas with Patients
3.5 Strategies for Maintaining Patient Boundaries
3.6 Reflective Quiz
Section 4: Ethical Boundaries with Colleagues
4.1 Respect and Professional Courtesy
4.2 Avoiding Favouritism and Bias
4.3 Managing Conflicts of Interest
4.4 Bullying, Harassment, and Inappropriate Conduct
4.5 Boundaries in Multidisciplinary Teams
4.6 Strategies for Maintaining Collegial Boundaries
4.7 Reflective Quiz
Section 5: Recognising and Preventing Boundary Breaches
5.1 Early Warning Signs
5.2 Common Scenarios that Test Boundaries
5.3 Strategies for Prevention
5.4 Organisational and Cultural Safeguards
5.5 Reflection as a Protective Tool
5.6 Reflective Quiz
Section 6: Consequences of Ethical Boundary Violations
6.1 Impact on Patients
6.2 Impact on Colleagues and Workplace Culture
6.3 Professional and Regulatory Consequences
6.4 Legal Consequences
6.5 Impact on Public Trust
6.6 Personal Impact on Professionals
6.7 Reflective Quiz
Section 7: Maintaining Ethical Boundaries in Practice
7.1 Self-Awareness and Emotional Regulation
7.2 Communication Skills for Boundary Management
7.3 Organisational and Policy Safeguards
7.4 Peer Support, Supervision, and Mentorship
7.5 Building Resilience and Preventing Burnout
7.6 Continuous Learning and Reflection
7.7 Reflective Quiz
Section 8: Case Studies and Scenarios
8.1 Case Study: The Grateful Patient
8.2 Case Study: Social Media Request
8.3 Case Study: Dual Relationships
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