American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Practice Test

If a therapist suspects a colleague is unethically billing for services not provided, what is the most appropriate response?

1. Bring the concern up to the clinic supervisor to handle privately with the employee

2. Tell the colleague's clients to switch massage therapists due to the unethical billing

3. Bring the allegation up in the next team meeting

4. Report this to the American Massage Therapy Association

The correct answer is: Bring the concern up to the clinic supervisor to handle privately with the employee

The most appropriate response in a situation where a therapist suspects a colleague of unethical billing for services not provided is to bring the concern to the clinic supervisor to handle privately with the employee. This approach ensures that the issue is addressed in a professional manner and allows for a thorough investigation to take place. By informing the supervisor, you are utilizing the appropriate chain of command, which is essential in maintaining a respectful workplace environment and ensuring that the matter is handled confidentially, reducing the potential for unnecessary gossip or conflict among colleagues. Keeping the discussion private respects the confidentiality of the colleague involved and protects the integrity of the workplace. It also gives management the opportunity to assess the situation objectively and implement corrective measures if needed, rather than escalating the issue informally among team members or clients, which could lead to a hostile work environment or unfounded accusations proliferating. In contrast, discussing this in a team meeting could expose sensitive information unnecessarily, while telling clients to switch therapists can cause harm without addressing the issue directly. Reporting to the American Massage Therapy Association may be a valid option later, but the immediate concern should be handled at the clinic level first to allow for appropriate internal grievance procedures to take place.