Mary is a speech-language pathologist in a large metropolitan hospital. She treated Mrs. Jones for aphasia during the acute phase of her stroke rehabilitation. On the day of discharge, Mary entered Mrs. Jones room to provide family training. After talking with Mrs. Jones and her family, Mary said goodbye and left the room. Mr. Jones followed Mary into the hall. He told Mary that the family was very pleased with the work she had done with Mrs. Jones and pressed a $20 bill into her hand.

Although it is obvious to most professionals that monetary gifts should not be accepted from clients or their families, what about other gifts? Our role in the rehabilitation process is an important one and clients/families are frequently grateful for the services we have provided. I work on an in patient rehabilitation unit and almost every week a gift of cookies, candy, or cake can be found on the table in the staff office. Should these gifts be accepted? A co-worker of mine once received a framed piece of original artwork from a client. Should she have accepted such a valuable gift? Where should the line be drawn?