RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to discuss exemplars of pro bono and charity activities in health care professions. METHODS: We searched PubMed and Google Scholar from inception to August 2019 using search terms "pro bono healthcare," "medical volunteerism," "pro bono clinics OR free clinics OR organizations," "pro bono curriculum OR education," "underserved OR uninsured OR underinsured OR disadvantaged OR poor populations." Inclusion criteria were that practitioners, students, or volunteers be involved in pro bono care or education and in any discipline, including medicine, physical therapy, chiropractic, or dentistry. RESULTS: We selected 5 exemplars to review, and determined that students can benefit from participation in pro bono or charity health care such as through a student administered clinic model. Academic curricula can play a role in building confidence and create positive attitudes and behaviors regarding pro bono and charity activities, and nonprofit organizations can help build sustainable models. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the implementation and delivery of health care pro bono or charity services can fill a health care gap and can be applied successfully in the health professions.
RESUMEN
Health practitioners work under fiduciary constraint, and are obligated to favour patient needs over all others and in particular their own. The principles of professionalism demand that professionals take great care to ensure that boundaries are maintained safely to provide an optimal setting in facilitating patient care. Boundary violations cause serious harm to the patient. Any romantic or sexual activity between parties is the most serious form of boundary violation. The chiropractic profession is included in the list of disciplines which are at an increased risk for boundary violations. The authors propose a four stage protocol which is designed to offer all parties maximal protection beginning with undergraduate professional education and then mandatory continuing education for registrants in professional practice. The protocol would affect all aspects of professional life including training in boundaries and jurisdictional regulation.