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 APTA Guide for Professional Conduct and Core Values for the Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant provide additional guidance. This Code of Ethics describes the desired behavior of physical therapists in their multiple roles (e.g., management of patients and clients, consultation, education, research, and administration), addresses multiple aspects of ethical action (individual,organizational, and societal), and reflects the core values of the physical therapist (accountability, altruism, collaboration,compassion and caring, duty, excellence, integrity, 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. Principle #1 : Physical therapists shall respect the inherent dignity and rights of all individuals. (Core Values: Compassion and Caring, Integrity) Principle #2 : Physical therapists shall be trustworthy and compassionate in addressing the rights and needs of patients and clients. (Core Values: Altruism, Collaboration, Compassion and Caring, Duty) APTA Guide for Professional Conduct The Guide for Professional Conduct (the PT Guide ; APTA, 2019a) is intended to serve physical therapists in interpreting the Code in matters of professional conduct. The PT Guide provides guidelines by which physical therapists may determine the propriety of their conduct. It is also intended to guide the professional development of physical therapist students. The Code and the PT Guide apply to all physical therapists. These guidelines are subject to changes as the dynamics of the profession change and as new patterns of healthcare delivery are developed and accepted by the professional community and the public. The PT Guide is subject to monitoring and timely revision by the APTA Ethics and Judicial Committee. The interpretations expressed in the PT Guide reflect the opinions, decisions, and advice of the APTA Ethics and Judicial Committee. These interpretations are intended to assist a physical therapist in applying general ethical principles to
Principle #3 : Physical therapists shall be accountable for making sound professional judgments. (Core Values: Collaboration, Duty, Excellence, Integrity) Principle #4 : Physical therapists shall demonstrate integrity in their relationships with patients and clients, families, colleagues,students, research participants, other health care providers, employers, payers, and the public. (Core Value: Integrity) Principle #5 : Physical therapists shall fulfill their legal and professional obligations. (Core Values: Accountability, Duty, Social Responsibility) Principle #6 : Physical therapists shall enhance their expertise through the lifelong acquisition and refinement of knowledge, skills,abilities, and professional behaviors. (Core Value: Excellence) Principle #7 : Physical therapists shall promote organizational behaviors and business practices that benefit patients and clients and society. (Core Values: Integrity, Accountability) Principle #8 : Physical therapists shall participate in efforts to meet the health needs of people locally, nationally, or globally. (Core Value: Social Responsibility) specific situations. They should not be considered inclusive of all situations that could evolve. The PT Guide is intended to clarify and explain the eight principles listed in the Code . The APTA Ethics and Judicial Committee revises and updates the PT Guide to assist PTs in staying current with changing times. The Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant ( PTA Guide , APTA, 2019b) similarly provides a detailed interpretation of the Standards , and is amended as needed by the APTA Ethics and Judicial Committee. In addition to the Code and PT Guide , Georgia physical therapists must be familiar with and understand the Georgia Physical Therapy laws. At no time is it permissible to practice outside of the law. The Georgia Board of Physical Therapy requires a course on ethics and Georgia jurisprudence with each license renewal.
GEORGIA JURISPRUDENCE
Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in the state of Georgia are obligated to know the applicable laws that govern their practice. These laws are covered in the Georgia General Provisions (1981/2016), Georgia Physical Therapy Practice Act(1972/2019), and the Georgia Board Rules and Board
Policies. Abridged versions of these laws are covered in the following sections; the full versions may be found on the Georgia Board of Physical Therapy website https://sos.ga.gov/index. php/licensing/plb/39. Links to each document and the Board of Physical Therapy can also be found in the Resources section. (3) “Professional licensing board“ means any board, bureau, commission, or other agency of the executive branch of state government which is created for the purpose of licensing or otherwise regulating or controlling any profession, business, or trade and which is placed by law under the jurisdiction of the director of the professional licensing boards division within the office of the Secretary of State.
Georgia General Provisions (O.C.G.A. §§ 43-1-1 through 43-1-34) § 43-1-1. General Provisions As used in this title, the term: (1) “Division“ means the professional licensing boards division created under Code Section 43-1-2.
(2) “Division director“ means the individual appointed by the Secretary of State as director of the professional licensing boards division within the office of the Secretary of State.
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