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Ethics for the Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Professional: Summary
Cultural Competence It is important to be aware of a patient’s cultural differences. Patient’s values and perspectives may significantly affect their behavior. A therapist must manage these social and cultural differences so that there are no negative health consequences. This involves being able to provide treatment efficiently to individuals with diverse behaviors, beliefs, and social or linguistic needs. A patient responds to treatment more quickly when there is cultural concordance between the physical therapist and the patient. Continual Learning Being on the cutting edge of knowledge and medical advancements will always be to the physical therapist’s advantage. Continual learning gives the medical professional the ability to understand evidence-based healthcare. This can be achieved in academic institutions, undergraduate training, and inter- professional and collaboration workshops. APTA’s Five Roles of the Physical Therapist The APTA Code of Ethics is built upon these five roles: 1. Management of patient: Examination, evaluation, diagnosis, and prognosis 2. Patient consultation: One of the most important factors is the art of listening 3. Pursuing advanced education: Information is power to make better diagnoses and to administer treatment in a more effective manner 4. Research: Applying current evidence- based techniques to best address patient needs 5. Applying effective administration: Administer the application of thorough processes, for patient’s best recovery Professional obligations to the patient include the following: • Continuing competence: Obligation to develop competence in regard to the ongoing application of professional knowledge, skills and abilities
Rights: Ability to take advantage of a moral entitlement to do something or not to do something. Examples include Patient’s Bill of Rights, federal statutes (e.g., HIPAA), and facility-specific bills of rights. Paternalism: Failure to respect autonomy; acting with disregard to individual rights and substituting one’s beliefs, opinions, or judgments for the patient’s. The attempt to justify by claiming they acted in the person’s best interests. Decisions made are serious matters. Medical professional holds the life and health of patients in their hands. Professionals in physical therapy should believe in a universal ethical belief system. Ethical beliefs must be logically consistent with the facts of the decision or the situation. Decisions must be made a system more substantial than “gut feelings.” Ethical thinking is required. Ethical justification will prevent harm and ensure that good will comes from the decision made. Professional Ethics for the Physical Therapist Traits of the professional include the following: • Is an expert in their field • Is able to identify the needs of a patient and to treat those needs • Is willing to do what it takes to satisfy the demands of their job • Produces results and strives to do it before the due dates and better than is expected Emotional intelligence comprises: • Self-regulation : the ability to control oneself in an out-of-control or tense situation • Internal motivation : the passion and love for work because of an internal satisfaction THE APPLICATION OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS • Empathy : the skill of a professional to comprehend the emotional triggers of a patient
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