Boundaries

Professional Boundaries (PB-24)

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The Professional Boundaries course addresses concerning or unprofessional conduct that is relationship-based. From dual relationships to inappropriate communication channels to misconduct or harassment, this course addresses both sexual and non-sexual boundary crossings.

Appropriate for all healthcare professionals, this course is facilitated in an interactive, small-group format, allowing the course faculty to address specific misconduct and provide individualized feedback. In the course, our expert faculty lead participants in examining how and why their professional practices, responses to stress, and personal or situational factors initially put them at risk for exercising poor judgment or rationalizing improper behavior leading to professional boundary violations. The course culminates in the participant’s development and oral presentation of their Personalized Protection Plan©, a personalized, concrete action plan outlining the steps and changes they will make to avoid future wrongdoing, safeguard patients and colleagues, and honor the reputation of their profession moving forward.

Participants arrive at the seminar primed by pre-course readings, assignments, and self-assessment exercises—springboards for the process of introspection and self-critique.

Participating in more than one live course?
Contact us about our multi-course discount program.

Professions This Course Is Suitable For

This course is multi-disciplinary and appropriate for all licensed clinicians, including but not limited to: physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, chiropractors, physician assistants, mental health providers, physical therapists, acupuncturists, EMT’s, midwives, optometrists, and trainees/students. Additionally, this course can also be adapted for other professionals, such as attorneys.

Reasons for Referral

  • Addictions (Chemical, behavioral (i.e. gambling, pornography, etc.))
  • Dual relationships (Inappropriate financial, business, or non-sexual social relationships, including with coworkers or trainees, prescribing to friends, family, or coworkers)
  • Failure to use a chaperone when indicated or requested
  • Inappropriate use of social media, text, or email with patients/significant third parties, coworkers, or students
  • Lending or borrowing money, or giving gifts to coworkers, students, or patients or their significant third parties
  • Practicing outside of scope
  • Sexual boundary violations (Examination of sensitive body areas without gloves, sexualized language, looks, or physical contact, even if consensual, with current or former patients, coworkers, students, or patients’ significant third parties)
  • Supervisory issues (Inadequate supervision/delegation, insubordination)
    *Disruptive behavior, poor conflict management, inappropriate humor, outbursts, or other communication issues are best addressed in our Elevating Civility and Communication in Health Care Course.

Editions

  1. PB-24 Essential
    • Three hours of pre-course assignments
    • Three-day live course
  2. PB-24 Enhanced
    • 13 hours of pre-course assignments
    • Three-day live course
  3. PB-24 Extended
    • 13 hours of pre-course assignments
    • Three-day live course
    • 12 hour post-course faculty-led group conference calls (MAS-12). One hour weekly for 12 weeks.

Learning Objectives

  • Express why and how healthcare professionals are held accountable for adhering to standards of practice, codes of ethics, and state statutes
  • Discuss attributes and behaviors that constitute professionalism in the context of health care, and identify specific lapses in their own professionalism
  • Explain how professional problems evolve, employing the model of a continuum of boundary impingements
  • Express how professional lapses can adversely affect clinical judgment and cause a range of other impacts and harms
  • Describe the components of the Formula© and apply them to their own violation potential and, if applicable, their infraction
  • Create and implement a Personalized Protection Plan© that includes strategies, safeguards, and systems to reduce the risk of relapse and improve accountability
  • Detect early warning signs of professional problems in themselves and others in order to reduce the risk of future violations

Accreditation

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine and Professional Boundaries, Inc. The University of California, Irvine School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of California, Irvine School of Medicine designates this Other activity (live, enduring, Internet PoC search) for a maximum of 46 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Registration Options

Select Edition

Course Credits

24 CME (3 Pre-Course + 21 Live)

Course Costs

$2275.00 Doctoral/Advance Practice

$1875.00 Non-Doctoral/Nurse

Interest-Free Financing Available

Date: September 19, 2025 - September 21, 2025

Location: Virtual Live Classroom, Pacific Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Date: October 10, 2025 - October 12, 2025

Location: Virtual Live Classroom, Pacific Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Date: November 7, 2025 - November 9, 2025

Location: Virtual Live Classroom, Pacific Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Date: November 21, 2025 - November 23, 2025

Location: Virtual Live Classroom, Pacific Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Date: December 5, 2025 - December 7, 2025

Location: Virtual Live Classroom, Pacific Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Course Credits

34 CME (13 Pre-Course + 21 Live)

Course Costs

$2475.00 Doctoral/Advance Practice

$2075.00 Non-Doctoral/Nurse

Interest-Free Financing Available

Date: September 19, 2025 - September 21, 2025

Location: Virtual Live Classroom, Pacific Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Date: October 10, 2025 - October 12, 2025

Location: Virtual Live Classroom, Pacific Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Date: November 7, 2025 - November 9, 2025

Location: Virtual Live Classroom, Pacific Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Date: November 21, 2025 - November 23, 2025

Location: Virtual Live Classroom, Pacific Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Date: December 5, 2025 - December 7, 2025

Location: Virtual Live Classroom, Pacific Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Course Credits

46 CME (13 Pre-Course + 21 Live + 12 Post-Course)

Course Costs

$2975.00 Doctoral/Advance Practice

$2575.00 Non-Doctoral/Nurse

Interest-Free Financing Available

Date: September 19, 2025 - September 21, 2025

Location: Virtual Live Classroom, Pacific Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Date: October 10, 2025 - October 12, 2025

Location: Virtual Live Classroom, Pacific Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Date: November 7, 2025 - November 9, 2025

Location: Virtual Live Classroom, Pacific Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Date: November 21, 2025 - November 23, 2025

Location: Virtual Live Classroom, Pacific Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Date: December 5, 2025 - December 7, 2025

Location: Virtual Live Classroom, Pacific Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

FAQ

Am I eligible to take a course in the Virtual Live Classroom?
How do I know if this course is approved by my regulatory agency or board?
Can I attend this course proactively for CME credit even if I don’t have a disciplinary order?
What is the difference between the Essential (PB-24), Enhanced (PB-24EN), and Extended Edition (PB-24EX) of the Professional Boundaries Course?
My disciplinary order states that I need to take a course from a different provider, can I take a PBI course instead?
  • "I loved this class. I felt like I was able to talk freely and openly about my situation. This made it so I could look at myself without defensiveness and fear, which I think is vital to this process. I learned so much about how it was that I crossed the boundaries with my patient and how to prevent those risk factors and vulnerabilities from making the same mistake. I felt a sense of hope, even though I still have a rough road ahead. I looked forward to each day interacting with others who could understand what I have been through. I definitely felt less alone and isolated."
    - PB-24 Course Graduate
  • "To be totally transparent, I was dreading taking this course the first day, but once I got engaged and comfortable with everyone, I really started to enjoy talking about everything from the wide variety of years of experience and professions in the call. It almost felt like therapy in a way. On Sunday, I was surprised that I was actually kind of disappointed it was ending. I felt like I was just starting to get to know everyone. The support was amazing from everyone included, and I am glad I took this course."
    - PB-24 Course Graduate
  • "As an emergency medicine physician who wasn’t absolutely required to attend but was rather encouraged to do so, I’ll admit I came into the course with a fair amount of skepticism—bracing myself for something I just needed to “get through.” What I experienced instead was something profoundly different and deeply meaningful."
    - PB-24 Course Graduate
  • "I went into this course not happy about having to do it. I left this course with much better insight into myself as a person and how to improve as a professional. I was impressed with the faculty member, who was a compassionate educator who had obviously read all of our assignments prior to the class. They already had good insight into each student, which was very beneficial. I learned a lot listening to the other participants' struggles as a professional."
    - PB-24 Course Graduate
  • "This course was transformative. Having said this, any transformative experience will involve discomfort and addressing fears. Thus, this safe, nonjudgmental, wise, and emotionally intense course is completely worth it. The faculty and the group members were exceptional. Thank you!"
    - PB-24 Course Graduate
  • "I expected this course to be punitive, rather it was very accepting and supportive. Collaboratively, I felt we were able to share our stories without judgment. It decreased my shame and isolation."
    - PB-24 Course Graduate
  • "This course was definitely the best and most informative training I’ve received in my 37 year career. The PB-24 course is an absolute must for every doctor who holds a state license to practice. "
    - PB-24 Course Graduate
  • "I actually think the live-virtual format was superior to in-person in allowing open and honest discussions as all participants were able to join for their location of choice which provided a degree of familiarity that would not have been present if we had been in-person at a centralized location. I gained a tremendous amount of respect, knowledge and appreciation of all participants and the Instructor in this session and will be seriously considering taking more PBI courses in the future."
    - PB-24 Course Graduate
  • "I felt being in my home environment that I was more comfortable discussing my personal history. Even though we were not all in the same room physically, there was a sense of everyone being present, I did feel close to everyone."
    - PB-24 Course Graduate
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