Moodle at CCNM

This presentation begins by establishing a baseline understanding of the typical ways physicians use electronic communications, -- e.g. email, texting, online video, etc – in practice. We then come to understand legal and ethical implications of these uses and provide some guidance for adhering to those laws and ethics.  The presentation focuses on a combination of the learners’ professional and ethical responsibilities and the legal standards that help them know how to live up to those responsibilities. Concrete examples are used to help ensure understanding of the material.

A core tenet of Naturopathic medicine is to provide deep, holistic care for patients that addresses the whole person. As such, NDs frequently develop closer relationships with patients than do their allopathic counterparts. In addition, NDs in Oregon have recently found themselves being more closely integrated into primary care for Oregonians and thus under closer scrutiny from their licensing board. It has become clear that one common cause of complaint to the board involves boundary violations. In order to help attendees learn how to establish rigorous boundaries with patients, as opposed to either overly ridged or overly porous boundaries, this presentation will show attendees how psychotherapists use professional boundaries as both a tool for maintaining ethical behavior and for improving clinical outcomes along with discussion of the many ways in which this model applies to Naturopathic medical practice. The presentation will also explore the all-important topic of which kinds of patient conditions and which situations typically foster boundary crossings and violations.