{"id":41540,"date":"2026-04-20T12:23:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T12:23:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/?p=41540"},"modified":"2026-05-21T12:11:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T12:11:09","slug":"what-is-unprofessional-conduct-under-the-hpcaa-in-new-zealand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/what-is-unprofessional-conduct-under-the-hpcaa-in-new-zealand\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Unprofessional Conduct Under the HPCAA in New Zealand?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"41540\" class=\"elementor elementor-41540\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-400582c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"400582c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bbc1be elementor-widget 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*\/\r\n.hec-sources{background:#f8f9fb;border:1px solid #dde5e3;border-radius:6px;padding:22px 26px;margin:30px 0}\r\n.hec-sources-label{font-size:12px;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.8px;color:#5a6c7d;margin-bottom:12px;display:block}\r\n.hec-sources p{font-size:15px;color:#5a6c7d;margin-bottom:14px;line-height:1.7}\r\n.hec-sources ul{margin:0 0 0 18px;line-height:1.9}\r\n.hec-sources li{margin-bottom:6px;color:#5a6c7d;font-size:15px}\r\n.hec-sources a{color:#0a2a5c;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:500}\r\n.hec-sources a:hover{color:#c8102e}\r\n\r\n\/* Mobile *\/\r\n@media(max-width:768px){\r\n.hec-article-title{padding:32px 20px 28px}\r\n.hec-article-title h1{font-size:22px}\r\n.hec-wrapper h2{font-size:20px;margin:32px 0 12px}\r\n.hec-wrapper h3{font-size:18px}\r\n.hec-wrapper h4{font-size:16px}\r\n.hec-wrapper p{font-size:16px}\r\n.hec-wrapper li{font-size:16px}\r\n.hec-wrapper ul{margin-left:18px}\r\n.hec-cta-btn{display:block}\r\n}\r\n@media(max-width:480px){\r\n.hec-article-title h1{font-size:19px}\r\n.hec-wrapper h2{font-size:18px}\r\n.hec-wrapper h3{font-size:16px}\r\n.hec-wrapper p{font-size:15px}\r\n.hec-wrapper li{font-size:15px}\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-wrapper\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-article-title\">\r\n<h1>What Is Unprofessional Conduct Under the HPCAA in New Zealand? A Plain-Language 2026 Guide for Registered Practitioners<\/h1>\r\n<div class=\"hec-meta\"><span>Updated for 2026<\/span>&middot;<span>NZ Regulatory Guide<\/span>&middot;<span>~12 min read<\/span><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-intro-box\"><p><strong>Two terms dominate fitness to practise proceedings in New Zealand: \"professional misconduct\" and \"unprofessional conduct\".<\/strong> Both appear in the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCAA), and both can trigger regulatory action, but they sit on different rungs of a ladder. This plain-language 2026 guide explains what each term means, how every NZ responsible authority applies them, what the typical outcomes look like, and what every registered practitioner should understand about the line between acceptable practice and professional misconduct in Aotearoa.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n<h2>The HPCAA's Two-Step Conduct Framework<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>Under the HPCAA, concerns about a practitioner's behaviour or competence are assessed against a structured framework. The Act recognises that not every mistake is misconduct, and not every complaint is a fitness to practise matter. Instead, concerns are triaged: the more serious the conduct, the higher up the ladder it goes. For the underlying standards that every NZ responsible authority applies, see our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/hpcaa-professional-standards-for-health-practitioners-in-new-zealand\/\">HPCAA professional standards for health practitioners in New Zealand<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>In plain language: \"unprofessional conduct\" is behaviour that falls below the expected standard but is less serious than \"professional misconduct\". Professional misconduct is the more serious category, typically reserved for matters referred to the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (HPDT). Both terms sit alongside \"conduct that may bring discredit to the profession\" and are central to how the HPCAA protects the public.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Unprofessional Conduct: The Everyday Category<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>Unprofessional conduct is the regulator's term for behaviour that is below the standard expected of a competent and ethical health practitioner, but which does not reach the threshold for formal HPDT proceedings. It is still serious. It can result in education, counselling, conditions on practice, or an Annual Practising Certificate being issued with restrictions, but it is typically managed by the responsible authority rather than the Tribunal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Typical examples of unprofessional conduct<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>Communication breakdowns:<\/strong> abrupt, dismissive, or confusing interactions with patients or wh&#257;nau<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Minor consent lapses:<\/strong> inadequate documentation, rushed discussions, missed alternatives<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Record keeping gaps:<\/strong> sparse, late, or inconsistent clinical notes<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Boundary drift:<\/strong> mild over-familiarity, inappropriate digital contact, casual gifts<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Disrespectful conduct towards colleagues:<\/strong> incivility, poor handover, dismissive behaviour<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Minor cultural safety failures:<\/strong> inadequate responsiveness, unchecked assumptions<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>CPD record weaknesses:<\/strong> clinical-only learning with no ethics, boundaries, or reflective practice<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<h2>Professional Misconduct: The Serious Category<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>Professional misconduct is the most serious conduct category under the HPCAA and is typically the basis for referral to the HPDT. It covers behaviour that is seen as a marked departure from acceptable standards, a breach of fundamental ethical obligations, or a serious risk to public safety or public confidence in the profession.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Typical examples of professional misconduct<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Sexual conduct with a current patient (absolute prohibition across every NZ regulator)<\/li>\r\n<li>Serious dishonesty: falsified records, fraudulent billing, false qualifications<\/li>\r\n<li>Major breaches of patient confidentiality<\/li>\r\n<li>Practising under the influence of alcohol or drugs<\/li>\r\n<li>Significant clinical negligence causing patient harm<\/li>\r\n<li>Serious breaches of supervision or delegation duties<\/li>\r\n<li>Pattern of repeated unprofessional conduct that, taken together, crosses the misconduct threshold<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<h2>Side-by-Side: Unprofessional Conduct vs Professional Misconduct<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-table-wrap\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Feature<\/th>\r\n<th>Unprofessional Conduct<\/th>\r\n<th>Professional Misconduct<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr><td><strong>Seriousness<\/strong><\/td><td>Below standard but less severe<\/td><td>Serious departure from standards<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td><strong>Usual forum<\/strong><\/td><td>Responsible authority (e.g. MCNZ, NCNZ, DCNZ, Pharmacy Council)<\/td><td>Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td><strong>Typical outcomes<\/strong><\/td><td>Education, counselling, conditions, targeted CPD<\/td><td>Censure, suspension, deregistration, cost orders<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td><strong>Publication<\/strong><\/td><td>Usually internal to the authority<\/td><td>HPDT decisions often publicly published<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td><strong>Remediation<\/strong><\/td><td>Targeted CPD, mentoring, supervision<\/td><td>Extensive remediation, structured return-to-practice plan<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td><strong>Time to resolution<\/strong><\/td><td>Weeks to months<\/td><td>Often 12 months or longer<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-course-card\">\r\n<div class=\"hec-course-card-header\">\r\n<h3>Conduct &amp; Ethics CPD for All NZ Practitioners<\/h3>\r\n<span class=\"hec-card-sub\">HPCAA-aligned online CPD for prevention and remediation<\/span>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"hec-course-card-body\">\r\n<ul class=\"hec-card-features\">\r\n<li><span class=\"hec-check\">&check;<\/span> Featured course: <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/courses\/professionalism-for-healthcare-professionals\/\">Professionalism for Healthcare Professionals<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><span class=\"hec-check\">&check;<\/span> Browse all: <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/ethics-professional-development-courses-healthcare-professionals-new-zealand\/\">Ethics &amp; Professional Development Courses for NZ Healthcare Professionals<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><span class=\"hec-check\">&check;<\/span> Covers conduct, boundaries, consent, communication, cultural safety<\/li>\r\n<li><span class=\"hec-check\">&check;<\/span> Self-paced, verifiable, certificate-backed<\/li>\r\n<li><span class=\"hec-check\">&check;<\/span> Suitable for routine CPD, remediation, and fitness-to-practise support<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<h2>How Responsible Authorities Decide Which Category Applies<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>When a complaint arrives, the responsible authority considers the seriousness of the behaviour, the context, the risk to the public, and the practitioner's insight and response. A single minor lapse with strong insight and genuine remediation is usually managed as a conduct matter. A pattern of concerning behaviour, or a serious one-off breach, is far more likely to reach the professional misconduct threshold.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>For a fuller picture of what each NZ responsible authority expects from registered practitioners and how those expectations shape conduct decisions, see our companion guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/what-your-regulatory-body-expects-from-registered-practitioners\/\">what your regulatory body expects from registered practitioners<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>How the Triage Process Works in Practice<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-scenario\">\r\n<span class=\"hec-scenario-label\">Illustrative Scenario<\/span>\r\n<p><strong>Situation:<\/strong> A patient complaint mentions that a registered practitioner provided unclear treatment information, did not adequately explain costs, and was perceived as dismissive when the patient asked questions. The matter is referred to the responsible authority.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Triage:<\/strong> The authority reviews the record, the consent documentation, and the practitioner's CPD profile. There is no prior pattern. The practitioner responds with honest reflection and proposes targeted CPD in communication and consent. The matter is managed as an unprofessional conduct concern, with education and conditions, not referred to the HPDT.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Different ending:<\/strong> If the same complaint surfaced three prior similar concerns from other patients, plus weak documentation across multiple files, the same starting point can escalate to professional misconduct. Pattern and insight, not just the initial event, drive where on the ladder a matter lands.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<h2>What the HPDT Actually Does<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<h4>Who sits on it<\/h4>\r\n<p>The HPDT is an independent tribunal comprising a legally qualified Chair, lay members, and registered practitioners from the profession under review. This composition is deliberate: it brings legal rigour, peer professional understanding, and public perspective into every decision.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>What it decides<\/h4>\r\n<p>Whether the practitioner's conduct amounts to professional misconduct, conduct that may bring discredit to the profession, or another ground under the HPCAA, and what penalty to impose proportionate to the seriousness and risk.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>What penalties it can impose<\/h4>\r\n<p>Censure, fines, conditions on practice, suspension, deregistration, and orders for costs. Published decisions often include a reflective account of what went wrong and what remediation has occurred, which can be considered in any future matters involving the practitioner.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-callout warning\"><span class=\"hec-callout-label\">What Protects You Most<\/span><p>Insight, remediation, and a strong CPD record in ethics, boundaries, and communication are consistently the factors that move a case from the misconduct category to the conduct category, and that secure a proportionate outcome when concerns are raised.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n<h2>Common Mistakes That Escalate a Concern<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<h4>Delaying the response<\/h4>\r\n<p>Avoidance, deflection, or hoping a concern will resolve itself often does the opposite. Early, constructive engagement consistently produces better outcomes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>Defensive or blame-shifting communications<\/h4>\r\n<p>Honest acknowledgement of what happened, paired with concrete remedial action, is more persuasive than a defensive narrative.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>Inconsistent or altered documentation<\/h4>\r\n<p>Backdated, altered, or inconsistent records turn a single concern into a pattern concern, and frequently a probity concern.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>No CPD evidence of insight<\/h4>\r\n<p>A CPD record dominated by clinical-only learning, with nothing in ethics, boundaries, or communication, signals incomplete engagement with the standards a responsible authority is asking about.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>Going it alone<\/h4>\r\n<p>Practitioners who respond without qualified advice from an indemnity provider, professional association, or healthcare-experienced lawyer often make avoidable mistakes that compound the concern.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Preventing Conduct Concerns in Daily Practice<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>Daily, sustainable habits are what build a defensible professional record over years. For practical day-to-day strategies that work across every NZ profession, see our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/building-and-maintaining-professionalism-in-new-zealand-clinical-practice\/\">building and maintaining professionalism in New Zealand clinical practice<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>Document every consent discussion<\/h4>\r\n<p>If it is not written, it did not happen. A signed form is not a documented conversation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>Treat every patient interaction as professional conduct<\/h4>\r\n<p>Short, abrupt, or dismissive interactions are the top of a long slope. Tone is conduct.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>Respect colleagues<\/h4>\r\n<p>Team behaviour is treated as professional conduct under every NZ code, not as separate workplace etiquette.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>Audit your online presence<\/h4>\r\n<p>Social media conduct is professional conduct under the HPCAA. Annual review of public content is sensible practice.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4>Complete CPD in ethics and professionalism annually<\/h4>\r\n<p>This is both prevention and evidence: prevention of issues arising, and evidence of insight if they do.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Your Practical Compliance Checklist<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-checklist\">\r\n<span class=\"hec-checklist-title\">Do this each year, regardless of profession or responsible authority<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Confirm your APC is current and renewal is diarised well ahead<\/li>\r\n<li>Review your responsible authority's current code of conduct and professional standards<\/li>\r\n<li>Confirm your CPD plan balances clinical and non-clinical (ethics, boundaries, consent, cultural safety)<\/li>\r\n<li>Document consent discussions (not just signed forms) for significant treatments and decisions<\/li>\r\n<li>Complete at least one Te Tiriti o Waitangi or cultural safety reflective activity<\/li>\r\n<li>Audit your social media and public-facing online presence annually<\/li>\r\n<li>Review record keeping for completeness, contemporaneous timing, and clinical reasoning<\/li>\r\n<li>Spend 15 minutes weekly reflecting on one recent encounter (consent, communication, documentation)<\/li>\r\n<li>Maintain a single organised digital folder of CPD certificates and reflective notes<\/li>\r\n<li>If something feels off, seek qualified advice early from your indemnity provider, professional association, or a healthcare-experienced lawyer<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-callout success\"><span class=\"hec-callout-label\">A High-Return Habit<\/span><p>After every patient interaction that didn't go quite right, write one sentence per question: What happened? What would I do differently? When will I check whether it worked? Over a year, this becomes the strongest evidence of insight any NZ responsible authority recognises.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-takeaways\">\r\n<h3>Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>The HPCAA distinguishes between unprofessional conduct and professional misconduct, both serious but differing in severity and forum<\/li>\r\n<li>Unprofessional conduct is usually managed by the responsible authority; professional misconduct typically goes to the HPDT<\/li>\r\n<li>Outcomes range from education and conditions through to suspension and deregistration with costs<\/li>\r\n<li>Insight, remediation, and balanced CPD are consistent factors in proportionate outcomes<\/li>\r\n<li>Pattern of conduct can elevate otherwise minor matters to the misconduct threshold<\/li>\r\n<li>Ongoing CPD in ethics and professionalism is both prevention and protection under the HPCAA framework<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-section\">\r\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>What is the difference between unprofessional conduct and professional misconduct?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\"><p>Both are conduct concerns under the HPCAA, but professional misconduct is the more serious category and is typically referred to the HPDT. Unprofessional conduct is usually managed by the responsible authority through education, conditions, or targeted CPD.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/details>\r\n\r\n<details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>Who decides which category a concern falls into?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\"><p>The responsible authority makes the initial decision based on the seriousness of the behaviour, the context, the risk to the public, and the practitioner's insight and response. Serious matters are referred to a Professional Conduct Committee and potentially to the HPDT.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/details>\r\n\r\n<details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>Can a single incident be professional misconduct?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\"><p>Yes. A single serious incident, for example a sexual boundary breach or significant dishonesty, can amount to professional misconduct. Context, severity, and risk all matter in the assessment.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/details>\r\n\r\n<details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>What happens if the HPDT finds professional misconduct?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\"><p>The HPDT can censure, impose conditions, suspend, or cancel registration, and may order costs. Many decisions are published and can be considered in future matters involving the practitioner.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/details>\r\n\r\n<details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>How does CPD affect conduct outcomes?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\"><p>Targeted CPD in ethics, boundaries, consent, and communication evidences insight and is commonly recommended as part of remediation. It also reduces the likelihood of concerns arising in the first place.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/details>\r\n\r\n<details class=\"hec-faq-item\">\r\n<summary>What should I do if a complaint has been raised about me?<\/summary>\r\n<div class=\"hec-faq-answer\"><p>Seek qualified advice early from your indemnity provider, professional association, or a healthcare-experienced lawyer before responding. Engage constructively with the process, gather all relevant records, reflect honestly, and consider targeted CPD in any areas of concern. Early, insightful engagement consistently produces materially better outcomes.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<\/details>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-cta-box\">\r\n<h3>Prevent Conduct Concerns with Regulator-Aligned CPD<\/h3>\r\n<p>HPCAA-aligned online CPD in ethics, boundaries, and professional conduct for all NZ practitioners. Self-paced, verifiable, and audit-ready, suitable for routine CPD or as part of a remediation plan.<\/p>\r\n<a class=\"hec-cta-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/nz\/ethics-professional-development-courses-healthcare-professionals-new-zealand\/\">View NZ Healthcare Professional CPD &rarr;<\/a>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-sources\">\r\n<span class=\"hec-sources-label\">Authoritative External Sources for Further Reading<\/span>\r\n<p>For the most current and authoritative detail on the legislation, codes, and disciplinary framework discussed in this article, refer directly to the publishers below:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.govt.nz\/act\/public\/2003\/0048\/latest\/DLM203312.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (legislation.govt.nz)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hpdt.org.nz\/decisions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, Published Decisions<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hdc.org.nz\/your-rights\/the-code-and-your-rights\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights (HDC)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.privacy.org.nz\/privacy-act-2020\/codes-of-practice\/hipc2020\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Health Information Privacy Code 2020 (Office of the Privacy Commissioner)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcnz.org.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Medical Council of New Zealand<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nursingcouncil.org.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nursing Council of New Zealand<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dcnz.org.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dental Council of New Zealand<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pharmacycouncil.org.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pharmacy Council of New Zealand<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hec-callout muted\"><span class=\"hec-callout-label\">Important Disclaimer<\/span><p>This article is published by Healthcare Ethics Courses for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, clinical, or regulatory advice. Standards and codes are updated periodically across every responsible authority. Always refer to the current text of the HPCAA and publications from your responsible authority, and seek qualified guidance from your indemnity provider, professional association, or a suitably experienced lawyer for matters specific to your situation.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\r\n{\r\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\r\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\r\n  \"mainEntity\": [\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n      \"name\": \"What is the difference between unprofessional conduct and professional misconduct?\",\r\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n        \"text\": \"Both are conduct concerns under the HPCAA, but professional misconduct is the more serious category and is typically referred to the HPDT. 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