Which of the following is a legitimate grounds for disciplinary action?

Incompetent or negligent practice is a legitimate ground for disciplinary action because it directly compromises the quality of care provided to patients and undermines the trust placed in healthcare professionals. Practitioners are expected to uphold a standard of care that reflects their training, expertise, and the ethical obligations of their profession. When a healthcare professional demonstrates a lack of competence or engages in negligent behavior, it can result in harm to patients. Regulatory bodies have a responsibility to protect the public and ensure that practitioners are qualified to provide the necessary care, thus making incompetent or negligent practices a serious concern that warrants disciplinary measures.

The other choices, although they may reflect less-than-ideal professional conduct in certain contexts, do not inherently represent grounds for disciplinary action. Disagreements with patients can occur and often reflect differences in opinions or misunderstandings, rather than misconduct. Conducting personal research, unless it conflicts with a professional obligation or poses a risk to patients, is generally seen as part of professional development. Meanwhile, using social media for marketing can be acceptable as it falls within promotional practices if done ethically and in compliance with regulatory guidelines, but it does not equate to a foundational issue of competence or care delivery.