OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS’ PERCEPTION OF UNETHICAL PRACTICE IN ADULTS’ PHYSICAL DYSFUNCTION FIELD

Background and Aim: Occupational therapists may be encountered in their clinical practice with a variety of unethical issues. The aim of this study was to explore unethical issues of occupational therapists practice in adult physical dysfunction field.
Materials and Methods: 10 graduated Occupational therapists with at least two years experience were selected by targeted sampling method. Data were gathered by semi-structured interview in private clinics and Occupational therapy clinics.
Results: Data analyses showed that unethical practice of occupational therapists in the physical dysfunction field categorized in four categories. These categories include: deviation of the treatment, neglect of clients benefit, disregarding of communication principles and emphasis on financial benefits.
Conclusion: The findings of this study show that occupational therapists have various ethical problems related to client’s rights in addition to their clinical practice, that according to the participants in this study, lack of awareness about professional ethics related to the occupational therapy and also lack of comprehensive rules in this field are the major causes of unethical practices that the necessity for further research has raised in this area.