Practice Management and Professional Responsibility
Professional framework
Practice management rests on scope of practice, informed consent, accurate documentation, privacy, infection control, and ethical billing. Know what your credential and state law allow; refer for diagnosis, wound care, surgery, or vascular evaluation when needed. Explain options, risks, costs, and realistic outcomes, then document consent. Record the assessment, plan, device, measurements, modifications, instructions, and follow-up. Protect patient information and use standard precautions. Submit claims only for documented, medically necessary items that were provided. Maintain competence through continuing education and stay current with payer rules.
Traps
Common exam traps include diagnosing when you should refer, promising a cure, billing for an item not delivered, altering records, discussing a patient in public, and treating outside your competence. Another trap is assuming insurance coverage proves clinical need.
Worked example
A patient asks for a specific shoe because it is covered. Verify the clinical indication and payer requirements, explain alternatives, and provide the item only if it fits the documented plan. If the request is outside your scope, refer.
Rule of thumb: if it is not documented, it did not happen; if it is outside your scope, refer.