Q: Can I be held accountable for posting or voicing controversial personal opinions in the media or online?

A: Yes.  As noted in the media of recent, two nurses are being investigated by the College of Nurses of Ontario for public comments they made about anti-masking.

As regulated health care professionals, occupational therapists are expected to interact online and publicly in keeping with the:

• Code of Ethics
• Essential Competencies of Practice for Occupational Therapists in Canada
• Standards for Professional Boundaries.
  
  

The public holds occupational therapists in a position of trust and publicly voicing controversial personal opinions contradicting public health guidance, such as the importance of masking and vaccination, could be considered misconduct.  The pandemic crisis requires occupational therapists to align with public health directives and to remain professional both at work and in all public forums.  

Reference

• Use of Social Media

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