Florida Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Practice Exam

When must a licensee provide written disclosure to a patient regarding personal training recommendations?

1. When the patient is new

2. After the first appointment

3. When recommending a personal trainer

4. After the patient’s treatment ends

The correct answer is: When recommending a personal trainer

Providing written disclosure to a patient regarding personal training recommendations is essential for ensuring that patients are fully informed about any external services or referrals a licensee might suggest. This requirement arises particularly when a physical therapist refers a patient to a personal trainer. The necessity of written disclosure stems from the importance of clearly communicating potential conflicts of interest and the different roles each professional plays in the patient's care. When making such recommendations, patients need to understand the qualifications and professional responsibilities of the personal trainer and how those relate to their rehabilitation. This requirement is in place to protect patient welfare and ensure they have all necessary information to make informed decisions about their care. In this context, the other options do not capture the critical moment when disclosure is legally and ethically required. Simply being a new patient, completing the first appointment, or waiting until treatment ends does not address the specific scenario where a professional relationship with a personal trainer is being established. Therefore, the most accurate answer highlights that written disclosure is necessary when recommending a personal trainer to ensure clarity and transparency in the patient's healthcare journey.