We all have boundaries in our lives. We shouldn’t steal from others. We shouldn’t keep secrets from those we love. Healthcare professionals, on the other hand, have a set of boundaries they should always be aware of and never cross, under any circumstances. It is their responsibility to set and maintain clear, appropriate and professional boundaries with patients, residents, or clients. Healthcare professionals cannot afford to let their guard down concerning boundaries. Crossing the lines can mean only a few things. Someone got lazy, overly-personal or involved with a client, or they are exploiting the provider-patient relationship. None of these are good. None of these are acceptable.
Boundaries Defined
What are professional boundaries in health care? They provide a framework for healthy and appropriate provider-patient relationships. Boundaries are physical, psychological, emotional and social. They are meant to provide protection to both the health care professional as well as anyone they care for in medical settings. They provide a safe zone where the focus of the relationship remains on the patient. Crossing any boundary can be seen as unethical, and some can actually be illegal.
(NOTE: Interested in learning more about Ethics in health care? Checkout my Ethics CEUs on CEU Academy and try a FREE CEU today!)
Professional Relationships
A professional relationship is one in which a healthcare professional receives compensation for their services. In other words, they’re paid to provide care. They also have a service to deliver, whether it is social services, nursing services or the services of a chaplain. The location of the service is usually a medical or care facility, but can be one’s home. The time involved is limited. A professional relationship should remain as objective as possible and focus on the needs of the patient. There is usually a goal in mind, such as a health outcome.
What Are Boundary Violations?
Boundary violations occur when the healthcare professional violates or exploits the provider-patient relationship in some way. These violations can vary in terms of severity. For instance, a nurse may share too much personal information with a long-term care resident that he or she cares for daily. This is excessive self-disclosure and is a boundary violation. How does talking so much about yourself focus on the resident’s needs? Another example is going out with patients or spending too much time with them socially. If you’re having cocktails with your patients once a week, you’ve crossed the line. If you keep secrets for your patients that can potentially cause problems, that is a violation. If you abuse, neglect, sexually exploit, or mistreat your patient in any way, you’ve not only violated boundaries, but you are most likely in deep legal trouble.
Staying in Your Lane
It’s best to be safe instead of being sorry. Smart healthcare professionals know that they have worked too hard and have come too far in their career to mess up now. Here are some tips for maintaining healthy boundaries with those you serve.
- Use touch therapeutically and appropriately, always asking if it is alright with the patient
- Treat all patients equally, maintaining a respectful attitude and being courteous to everyone
- Never give your personal contact information to patients including your cell or home phone number, email address or home address
- Do not spend extra time with clients who are not on your assigned schedule
- Avoid giving or receiving gifts, money, loans, or anything of value from your patients, residents or clients
- Never use offensive or inappropriate language around your patients
- Never make inappropriate sexual comments or jokes
- Do not care for family, friends, intimate others, and change your assignment if necessary
Final Words on Knowing Your Ethical Boundaries
Professional boundaries are rules and frameworks that help protect the relationship between the healthcare professional and the patient. It is up to the professional to know their boundaries and work within them at all times. The focus should always be the patient, and when that focus drifts elsewhere, a boundary might be crossed and the provider-patient relationship may be in jeopardy. The consequences of crossing professional boundaries can be severe. Be smart and stay in your lane!
(NOTE: Interested in learning more about Ethics in health care? Checkout my Ethics CEUs on CEU Academy and try a FREE CEU today!)