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AAPM&R Code
of Conduct, continued
III. Relationships with Members of the
Rehabilitation Team
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Rehabilitation Medicine is
considered a team-oriented practice and, as such, the physiatrist shall
work with and respect the individuals represented by other members of the
team.
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The physiatrist will encourage
other team members to work fully within the scope of their license or
expertise for the betterment of their patients.
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The rights and privileges of all
members of the team will be respected and honored.
IV. Physician to Physician Relationships
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The physiatrist shall respond
promptly and professionally when called upon by fellow physicians to
provide appropriate consultation or expertise.
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When terminating and
transferring care of the patient to another physician, the physiatrist
shall provide prompt, pertinent, and appropriate medical documentation so
as to assure the orderly continuation of care.
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The physiatrist will
participate willingly and actively in the education and training of fellow
physiatrists, other physicians, medical students and health care
providers.
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The physiatrist shall be
responsible for helping his/her medical colleagues maintain a high level
of performance, integrity, and practice. At no time shall a physiatrist
slander other physicians or health care professionals.
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The public should be
protected from an impaired physician including a physiatrist. Physiatrists
should assist in the identification and rehabilitation of an impaired
colleague. In the event that a physiatrist is alleged to be impaired, the
implicated physiatrist should be encouraged to voluntarily submit to
treatment or to accept recommendations for authorized review committees
utilizing proper appeal procedures if desired. If the physiatrist does not
voluntarily seek help, then appropriate medial authorities must be
notified with all attempts made to respect the privacy and confidentiality
of the alleged impaired physician. An impaired or incompetent physiatrist
is expected to appropriately correct any deficiencies before resuming
active practice.
V. Relationships with Community and
Government
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As an active member of the community, the physiatrist
shall abide by the rules and regulations of the facility in which his/her
practice is carried out.
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The physiatrist as a citizen shall be obligated to
follow and obey the law of the land and shall refrain from unlawful
activity, but shall support changes in those laws which are contrary to
the best interest of the patient and society.
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The physiatrist shall cooperate with the legal
professional unless such cooperation is prohibited by law for the
betterment of the needs of the patients served and shall cooperate with
legal counsel representing the interest of hospitals, clinics, and
colleagues so as to be assured that justice is served.
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When called upon to serve as an expert witness, the
physiatrist may testify as desired but only within her/her approved areas
of expertise and within the scope and knowledge of his/her training and
practice.
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The physiatrist may contract his/her services with a
variety of organizations (hospitals, managed care organizations, etc.) In
doing so the physiatrist shall maintain control over medical decisions and
hold the patient's best interest as paramount.
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The physiatrist shall attempt to be prompt and
appropriate in reporting to third party payers and agencies requesting
information and reports provided that consent of the patient or the
patient's agent is obtained or as otherwise provided by law.
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The physiatrist, in addition to providing patient care, has an
obligation to be involved in community and world activities, especially
those matters affecting health.
To Code of Conduct, continued
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