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There are few books and resources that account for the practice of our profession in the rural setting.  The rural practice is unique in the many ways that our lives intersect those of our patients.  Remaining objective and detached may have many challenges for the small town provider.

How to do this workshop course

• Go ahead and review the materials ahead of time.  Our discussions will be that much richer for such effort.
• Breaks: The workshop will proceed for three hours without breaks.  If you need to use the facilities, please return quickly.  Upon return, you may ask for a quick recap if the group has fewer than 6 people.  Do not be shy about asking for this, since a recap is an excellent way to reinforce learning and focus attention on the essential points for all of the participants.  In groups larger than 6 participants, the presenter will recap automatically on a schedule.
• You are free to add spoken comments within the conversation in the workshop, suiting the flow.
• You may also add comments in the forms at the bottom of the pages; these will be sent directly to Dr Warner - your questions can be addressed during your online workshop without interrupting the conversation, especially helpful if your thoughts are an interesting segway, and will also provide more breadth & depth to future workshops.
• Open up the various pages in separate windows on your desktop.  It will be more convenient to check across these during our discussions.  (Just hover over the link and Right-click, choose "Open Link in New Window" from the list.)
• For after the course - mark the web address, then return and refer to this website.
  www.DrDebiWarner.com/rural
  Set it as a bookmark or Favorites and then set up check-ins in your schedule for three times in the next month to visit this again and surf around for review, for your own consideration and reflection.  You may also send in additional comments to Dr Warner at any time.

Our Topic - Professional Ethics applied to Rural practice settings ~

A way of thinking

Learn how to routinely think through the considerations of rural ethics for each case so that your practice remains strong in competence, objectivity, and minimizes ethics and legal exposures.

Red lights - Absolute limits in role definition

Caution lights - Some gray areas and how to think them through

Rural Issues and relevant APA Codes: The criteria: the new standard articulated

•   3.05 Multiple Relationships
•   3.06 Conflict of Interest
•   3.08 Exploitative Relationships

A structure to think through these decisions

• Establishing a process for spontaneous decision making in the rural practice:
  • Laying down the fundamental aspects of concern within the Ethics Code
  • Developing an individual blue print for decision flow
  • Personalizing the practice of decision-making for rapid application

Your flow chart - Your Individual Professional Ethics Plan

• Establishing your own Supervision and Legal resource plan
• Practicing the hypothetical application of these skills on a regular basis
• Documenting the actual application of these skills for problem cases

Understanding the special practice challenges in rural areas will assist the clinician to balance their personal life with their patient responsibilities in a way that supports the therapist's own personal freedom, and protects the patient's rights for objective and unbiased care.

Caveats

Practice Caveat - This course does not constitute, form, or promise a supervisory relationship between Dr Deborah Warner and the participants.  Professionals are encouraged to seek appropriate supervision within the structures of their organization and to establish helpful consultations that can enhance their practice integrity when they need assistance beyond what is available within their organization.

Scope Caveat - It is not suggested that this course will offer a comprehensive skill set regarding professional ethical behavior.  Such skills are the result of quality training, supervision, experience, continued education and sound judgment, exercised by the professional and supported by appropriate organizational procedures.

Legal caveat - This course does not provide legal advice.  The methods of thinking suggested here are provided to broaden the professional's capacities for decision making.  You will need to sort out what is right for you, given your capabilities, sensitivities, and circumstances.  Before taking action, if you have any doubt about certainty of your professional activity, you are encouraged to consult supervision, authoritative guidance, and/or legal counsel.

Dr Deborah Warner PLLC assumes responsibility for the content of this training. 
CEUs: 3 hours in Ethics credits are sponsored by NBCC, the National Board of Certified Counselors.  These credits are acceptable to the NH Mental Health Licensing Board.

Dr Deborah Warner may be reached at 603-444-1512 in Littleton, NH
DrWarner @ DrDebiWarner.com (please remove spaces before & after the @ sign)

All material copyrighted ©2007 Dr Deborah Warner PLLC.  All rights reserved.