What are two essential components of ethical patient communication in PT?

• A. Confidentiality and informed consent; listening and nonjudgmental attitudes.
• B. Paternalism and rapid decision-making with little patient input.
• C. Focus on clinician preferences over patient goals.
• D. Only documenting conversations without discussion.

Answer: (A)

Two essential components are protecting patient confidentiality and obtaining informed consent. Protecting confidentiality means keeping the patient’s private information secure and sharing it only with those who need to know, which builds trust and respects the patient’s dignity. Obtaining informed consent involves providing clear information about the proposed therapy, its risks, benefits, and alternatives; checking that the patient understands; and obtaining voluntary agreement before proceeding. These elements are supported by listening actively and maintaining a nonjudgmental attitude, which makes patients feel heard, respected, and free to share their goals and concerns. This combination supports autonomy, safety, and collaborative decision-making. The other options miss these ethical foundations: paternalism and rapid decisions disregard patient input; focusing on clinician preferences over patient goals undermines autonomy; and documenting conversations without discussion doesn’t establish true consent or meaningful dialogue.