Question: Can I accept a gift from my client?
Answer: A reminder to occupational therapists about gift giving. As the holiday season approaches, occupational therapists may start receiving gifts from patients or clients. While these gestures are often well-intentioned, they can also inadvertently affect professional interactions.
Refer to the Standards
The Standard for the Prevention and Management of Conflicts of Interest states:
3.1
Know that the inappropriate exchange of gifts, money, services, or hospitality can exploit client relationships and is considered a boundary violation.
3.2
Exchange gifts with clients only if these have little to no monetary value, the offer is not recurring, and refusal could harm the client-therapist relationship.
Refer to Organizational Policy or develop a policy where none exist in advance of the holiday
Many employers and organizations have policies regarding gift acceptance to prevent potential issues. These policies specify the types of gifts employees can accept, while others have a strict no-gift policy. Occupational therapists who work independently or in private practice should consider developing policies to address client gift gestures.
Take Time to Reflect
Prior to accepting a gift, ask yourself:
- If I take this gift, will it be viewed as crossing professional boundaries?
- If I take this gift, is the intent to influence or change the expectations around occupational therapy care?
- Would others consider this gift from the client as ‘excessive’ or ‘inappropriate’?
If the answer is ‘yes’ to any of these questions, it is best to respectfully decline.