4. Educate physical therapists, students, other health care professionals, regulators, and the public regarding the core values, ethical principles, and standards that guide the professional conduct of the physical therapist. 5. Establish the standards by which the American Physical Therapy Association can determine if a physical therapist has engaged in unethical conduct. (APTA, 2013a) Physical therapists are encouraged to seek additional advice or consultation in instances where the guidance of the Code of No code of ethics is exhaustive nor can it address every situation. Physical therapists are encouraged to seek additional advice or consultation in instances where the guidance of the Code of Ethics may not be definitive. The Code of Ethics is built upon the five roles of the physical therapist (management of patients/clients, consultation, education, research, and administration), the core values of the profession, and the multiple realms of ethical action (individual, organizational, and societal). Physical therapist practice is guided by a set of seven core values: accountability, altruism, compassion/caring, excellence, Ethics may not be definitive (APTA, 2013c). The Preamble is followed by this explanation: The Code of Ethics for the physical therapist Principles The following information from the principles and subcategories of the APTA Code of Ethics (APTA, 2013c) has been summarized and should be viewed in its entirety on the APTA website contained on the reference page. The interpretations from the Guide (APTA, 2013a) have been included. Remember, not all subsections have interpretations, but additional clarification can be found on the APTA and FSBPT websites. Principle #1: Physical therapists shall respect the inherent 1A. Physical therapists shall act in a respectful manner toward each person regardless of age, gender, race, nationality, religion, ethnicity, social or economic status, sexual orientation, health condition, or disability. 1B. Physical therapists shall recognize their personal biases and shall not discriminate against others in physical therapist practice, consultation, education, research, and administration. Interpretation: Respect ( APTA, 2013a). Principle 1A addresses the display of respect toward others. There is no universal consensus about what respect looks like in every situation. For example, direct eye contact may be respectful and courteous in some cultures and inappropriate in others. The therapist should assess the appropriateness of behavior in various situations. dignity and rights of all individuals. ( Core values : Compassion, integrity. ) Principle #2: Physical therapists shall be trustworthy and compassionate in addressing the rights and needs of patients/clients. (Core values: Altruism, compassion, professional duty.) 2A. Physical therapists shall adhere to the core values of the profession and shall act in the best interests of patients/ clients over the interests of the physical therapist. 2B. Physical therapists shall provide physical therapy services with compassionate and caring behaviors that incorporate the individual and cultural differences of patients/clients. 2C. Physical therapists shall provide the information necessary to allow patients or their surrogates to make informed decisions about physical therapy care or participation in clinical research. 2D. Physical therapists shall collaborate with patients/clients to empower them in decisions about their health care.
integrity, professional duty, and social responsibility. Throughout the document the primary core values that support specific principles are indicated in parentheses. Unless a specific role is indicated in the principle, the duties and obligations being delineated pertain to the five roles of the physical therapist. Fundamental to the Code of Ethics is the special obligation of physical therapists to empower, educate, and enable those with impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions, and disabilities to facilitate greater independence, health, wellness, and enhanced quality of life (APTA, 2013c). Interpretation The 2010 revision of the Code of Ethics contains the word shall , and the principles should be interpreted as mandatory ethical obligations. The Preamble states: “No Code of Ethics is exhaustive nor can it address every situation.” The Preamble also states that physical therapists “are encouraged to seek additional advice or consultation in instances in which the guidance of the Code may not be definitive.” Potential sources for advice and counsel include third parties and the myriad resources available on the APTA website. Inherent in a physical therapist’s ethical decision-making process is the examination of his or her unique set of facts relative to the Code (APTA, 2013a). 2E. Physical therapists shall protect confidential patient/client information and may disclose confidential information to appropriate authorities only when allowed or as required by law. Interpretation: Altruism (APTA, 2013a). Principle 2A reminds physical therapists to adhere to the profession’s core values and act in the best interest of patients/clients over the interests of the physical therapist. Often this is done without thought, but sometimes it is a conscious decision. For example, the physical therapist may need to decide between leaving on time and staying at work longer to see a patient who was 15 minutes late for an appointment. Interpretation: Patient autonomy (APTA, 2013a). The purpose of Principle 2C is to respect patient autonomy. A physical therapist shall communicate to the patient/ client the findings of his or her examination, evaluation, diagnosis, and prognosis. A physical therapist shall use sound professional judgment in informing the patient/client of any substantial risks of the recommended examination and intervention and shall collaborate with the patient/client to establish the goals of treatment and the plan of care. A physical therapist shall respect the patient’s/client’s right to make decisions regarding the recommended plan of care, including consent, modification, or refusal. Principle #3: Physical therapists shall be accountable for making sound professional judgments. ( Core values : Excellence, integrity. ) 3A. Physical therapists shall demonstrate independent and objective professional judgment in the patient’s/client’s best interest in all practice settings. 3B. Physical therapists shall demonstrate professional judgment informed by professional standards, evidence (including current literature and established best practice), practitioner experience, and patient/client values. 3C. Physical therapists shall make judgments within their scope of practice and level of expertise and shall communicate with, collaborate with, or refer to peers or other health care professionals when necessary. 3D. Physical therapists shall not engage in conflicts of interest that interfere with professional judgment. 3E. Physical therapists shall provide appropriate direction of and communication with physical therapist assistants and support personnel.
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Book Code: PTCA2622B
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