Ethical Decision-Making in Physical Therapy |
CASE 9You are a 35-year-old female physical therapist who has just recently moved with your family from your small hometown to a large metropolitan city. You had taken several years off to raise your children and are looking forward to working at this large teaching hospital. You are a staff therapist assigned to treat acute patients at the bedside. You receive a referral to begin rehab on a 69-year-old man who recently had a stroke. After reviewing the chart, you enter the room and explain to the patient what you need to do to evaluate his condition. The patient is from Saudi Arabia and begins to become quite agitated. His family tells you that his religion prevents him from allowing a woman to touch him as you have described. They do not allow you to treat the patient and tell you that you must arrange for a male therapist to see him. Is this a reasonable request?What should you do?How do you feel about this request?Can you respect this patient's autonomy?
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