Apta Code Of Ethics For The Physical Therapist printable pdf download

Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist

HOD S06-09-07-12 [Amended HOD S06-00-12-23; HOD 06-91-05-05;HOD 06-87-11-17;

HOD 06-81-06-18; HOD 06-78-06-08; HOD 06-78-06-07; HOD 06-77-18-30; HOD 06-77-17-27;

Initial HOD 06-73-13-24] [Standard]

Preamble

The Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist (Code of Ethics) delineates the ethical obligations of all physical therapists as determined by

the House of Delegates of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The purposes of this Code of Ethics are to:

1. Define the ethical principles that form the foundation of physical therapist practice in patient/client management, consultation, edu-

cation, research, and administration.

2. Provide standards of behavior and performance that form the basis of professional accountability to the public.

3. Provide guidance for physical therapists facing ethical challenges, regardless of their professional roles and responsibilities.

4. Educate physical therapists, students, other health care professionals, regulators, and the public regarding the core values, ethical prin-

ciples, 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.

No code of ethics is exhaustive nor can it address every situation. Physical therapists are encouraged to seek additional advice or consulta-

tion in instances where the guidance of the Code of Ethics may not be definitive.

This 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, integrity, profes-

sional 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.

Principles

2D. Physical therapists shall collaborate with patients/clients to

empower them in decisions about their health care.

2E. Physical therapists shall protect confidential patient/

Principle #1:

Physical therapists shall respect the

client information and may disclose confidential informa-

inherent dignity and rights of all individuals.

tion to appropriate authorities only when allowed or as

(Core Values: Compassion, Integrity)

required by law.

1A. Physical therapists shall act in a respectful manner toward

Principle #3:

Physical therapists shall be accountable

each person regardless of age, gender, race, nationality, reli-

for making sound professional judgments.

gion, ethnicity, social or economic status, sexual orientation,

(Core Values: Excellence, Integrity)

health condition, or disability.

1B. Physical therapists shall recognize their personal biases and

3A. Physical therapists shall demonstrate independent and objec-

shall not discriminate against others in physical therapist prac-

tive professional judgment in the patient’s/client’s best interest

tice, consultation, education, research, and administration.

in all practice settings.

3B. Physical therapists shall demonstrate professional judgment

Principle #2:

Physical therapists shall be trustworthy

informed by professional standards, evidence (including

and compassionate in addressing the rights and

current literature and established best practice), practitioner

needs of patients/clients.

experience, and patient/client values.

(Core Values: Altruism, Compassion, Professional

3C. Physical therapists shall make judgments within their scope

Duty)

of practice and level of expertise and shall communicate with,

collaborate with, or refer to peers or other health care profes-

2A. Physical therapists shall adhere to the core values of the pro-

sionals when necessary.

fession and shall act in the best interests of patients/clients

3D. Physical therapists shall not engage in conflicts of interest that

over the interests of the physical therapist.

interfere with professional judgment.

2B. Physical therapists shall provide physical therapy services

3E. Physical therapists shall provide appropriate direction of and

with compassionate and caring behaviors that incorporate

communication with physical therapist assistants and support

the individual and cultural differences of patients/clients.

personnel.

2C. Physical therapists shall provide the information necessary

to allow patients or their surrogates to make informed deci-

sions about physical therapy care or participation in clinical

research.

Apta Code Of Ethics For The Physical Therapist

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