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Ethics for the Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Professional: Summary
Principle 1 Physical therapists shall respect the inherent 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. Core Values: Altruism, Compassion, Professional Duty Principle 3 Physical therapists shall be accountable for making sound professional judgments. Core Values: Excellence, Integrity Principle 4 Physical therapists shall demonstrate integrity in their relationships with patients, families, colleagues, students, research participants, other healthcare providers, employers, payers, and the public. Core Value: Integrity
• Appropriate self-disclosure: Obligation to the public to state title and the applicable designations • Not practicing beyond expertise: Obligation to refer the patient to another medical professional when the patient needs a different kind of treatment than what the physical therapist is able to provide Model Decision Making for the Physical Therapist The ethical decision-making process has certain steps: 1. Recognize and define the ethical issues. 2. Reflect on the ethical situation. 3. Determine the right thing to do. 4. Implement the solution to resolve the ethical issue (may be the most difficult step). 5. Evaluate the effects of the solution. 6. Reassess the ethical issue, the solution, and its effect. Purpose • Define ethical principles • Provide standards of behavior and performance • Provide guidance for ethical challenges • Educate individuals regarding core values, ethical principles and standards • Establish standards for judging unethical conduct Physical Therapy Core Values Built upon five roles of the PT, these core values guide the principals of professional ethics: • Accountability • Altruism • Compassion/caring • Excellence • Integrity • Professional duty • Social responsibility APTA CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
LEARNING TIP!
Principle 5 Physical therapists shall fulfill their legal and professional obligations. Core Values: Professional Duty, Accountability
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/clients and society. Core Values: Integrity, Accountability
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