OT 854 - Ethics, Leadership, and Sociopolitical Trends

2 Credit(s)

This course provides students with an understanding of leadership imperatives and practices and the social contexts where occupational therapy and other health and human services are delivered. The socioeconomic, political, geographic, and demographic factors that influence population health and exacerbate risk factors for health and social inequity are examined. Federal and state systems and structures that create regulatory and legislative policies are discussed. Current and emerging federal and state-specific liability issues and professional requirements for obtaining and maintaining licensure, certification, or registration as a professional occupational therapist who engages in varied roles including practitioner, educator, researcher, advocate, administrator, entrepreneur, and consultant are addressed. Ethical dimensions related to the practice of occupational therapy are examined using key official and legal documents such as the AOTA Code of Ethics and Ethics Standards and the AOTA Standards of Practice. State-specific documents such as the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware OT Practice Acts are also examined. Students apply and critique a variety of conceptual approaches to resolving ethical dilemmas related to professional interactions, client interventions (direct and indirect), leadership roles, documentation, cultural competence, and clinical research.