If a patient invites you to a hockey game, what should your first action be?

The best course of action in this scenario is to check office policy and consult your employer. This choice emphasizes the importance of adhering to professional boundaries and maintaining ethical standards in healthcare settings.

Many healthcare organizations have specific policies regarding gifts, invitations, and social interactions between patients and providers to prevent any potential conflicts of interest or perceptions of favoritism. By checking the office policy, you demonstrate a commitment to ethical practices and ensure that your actions align with institutional guidelines. Consulting your employer further reinforces this commitment and allows for a transparent approach in handling the situation.

In contrast, declining the invitation outright or accepting it without guidance may lead to potential misunderstandings or violations of professional conduct. Informing the patient about a busy schedule could seem dismissive and may not adequately address the underlying issue of maintaining appropriate boundaries in the provider-patient relationship. Thus, the most responsible action involves reviewing workplace policies and seeking guidance from leadership.