Code of Ethics from the American Physical Therapy Association (U.S. organization) can be found at the following link:
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, education,
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 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.
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.
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, 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.
Principles
Principle #1: Physical therapists shall respect the
inherent dignity and rights of all individuals.
(Core Values: Compassion, Integrity)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Principle #4: Physical therapists shall demonstrate
integrity in their relationships with patients/clients,
families, colleagues, students, research participants,
other health care providers, employers,
payers, and the public.
(Core Value: Integrity)
4A. Physical therapists shall provide truthful, accurate, and relevant
information and shall not make misleading representations.
4B. Physical therapists shall not exploit persons over whom
they have supervisory, evaluative or other authority (eg,
patients/clients, students, supervisees, research participants,
or employees).
4C. Physical therapists shall discourage misconduct by health
care professionals and report illegal or unethical acts to the
relevant authority, when appropriate.
4D. Physical therapists shall report suspected cases of abuse
involving children or vulnerable adults to the appropriate
authority, subject to law.
4E. Physical therapists shall not engage in any sexual relationship
with any of their patients/clients, supervisees, or
students.
4F. Physical therapists shall not harass anyone verbally, physically,
emotionally, or sexually.
Principle #5: Physical therapists shall fulfill their
legal and professional obligations.
(Core Values: Professional Duty, Accountability)
5A. Physical therapists shall comply with applicable local, state,
and federal laws and regulations.
5B. Physical therapists shall have primary responsibility for
supervision of physical therapist assistants and support
personnel.
5C. Physical therapists involved in research shall abide by
accepted standards governing protection of research
participants.
5D. Physical therapists shall encourage colleagues with physical,
psychological, or substance-related impairments that may
adversely impact their professional responsibilities to seek
assistance or counsel.
5E. Physical therapists who have knowledge that a colleague is
unable to perform their professional responsibilities with
reasonable skill and safety shall report this information to
the appropriate authority.
5F. Physical therapists shall provide notice and information
about alternatives for obtaining care in the event the physical
therapist terminates the provider relationship while the
patient/client continues to need physical therapy services.
Principle #6: Physical therapists shall enhance their
expertise through the lifelong acquisition and
refinement of knowledge, skills, abilities, and
professional behaviors.
(Core Value: Excellence)
6A. Physical therapists shall achieve and maintain professional
competence.
6B. Physical therapists shall take responsibility for their professional
development based on critical self-assessment and
reflection on changes in physical therapist practice, education,
health care delivery, and technology.
6C. Physical therapists shall evaluate the strength of evidence
and applicability of content presented during professional
development activities before integrating the content or
techniques into practice.
6D. Physical therapists shall cultivate practice environments
that support professional development, lifelong learning,
and excellence.
Principle #7: Physical therapists shall promote
organizational behaviors and business practices
that benefit patients/clients and society.
(Core Values: Integrity, Accountability)
7A. Physical therapists shall promote practice environments
that support autonomous and accountable professional
judgments.
7B. Physical therapists shall seek remuneration as is deserved
and reasonable for physical therapist services.
7C. Physical therapists shall not accept gifts or other considerations
that influence or give an appearance of influencing
their professional judgment.
7D. Physical therapists shall fully disclose any financial interest
they have in products or services that they recommend to
patients/clients.
7E. Physical therapists shall be aware of charges and shall ensure
that documentation and coding for physical therapy services
accurately reflect the nature and extent of the services
provided.
7F. Physical therapists shall refrain from employment arrangements,
or other arrangements, that prevent physical therapists
from fulfilling professional obligations to patients/
clients.
Principle #8: Physical therapists shall participate in
efforts to meet the health needs of people locally,
nationally, or globally.
(Core Value: Social Responsibility)
8A. Physical therapists shall provide pro bono physical therapy
services or support organizations that meet the health
needs of people who are economically disadvantaged, uninsured,
and underinsured.
8B. Physical therapists shall advocate to reduce health disparities
and health care inequities, improve access to health care
services, and address the health, wellness, and preventive
health care needs of people.
8C. Physical therapists shall be responsible stewards of health
care resources and shall avoid overutilization or underutilization
of physical therapy services.
8D. Physical therapists shall educate members of the public
about the benefits of physical therapy and the unique role
of the physical therapist.
Ethics from the Indian Association Of Physiotherapists
XV. ETHICAL RULES & GUIDELINES
15.1 General Responsibilities
(a) Physiotherapists shall provide honest quality care, competent and accountable professional
consultancy, therapeutic and otherwise, as 1st contact practitioner to any person who may seek or
may be in need of the same.
(b) The Physiotherapists shall administer only such treatment that is in the interest of the patient with
the responsibility for the exercise of sound judgment with diligence.
(c) The physiotherapists shall respect the dignity and basic rights of the patients and professional
colleagues.
(d) The physiotherapists shall refer the patient to the appropriate specialists whenever the
problems/symptoms of the diseases of the patient so demand.
(e) The physiotherapists shall maintain secrecy of the patient’s disease and shall not divulge the same to
any other individual except to professional colleagues during scientific case discussions/meetings.
(f) The physiotherapists shall provide accurate information to the patient or to the next relative if
required about the problem and specific physiotherapy management of that individual’s problems if
required.
(g) The physiotherapy management shall have the prior consent of the patient/relative if the procedure
adopted involves risk of any damage to the tissue, organ system or any side effects/complications
after explaining the same accurately.
(h) The physiotherapists shall comply with the laws governing the patient’s rights and cause.
(i) The physiotherapists shall not solicit patients through fee splitting. It shall be based upon their
individual competence and ability in accordance with the accepted scientific standards.
(j) The physiotherapists shall constantly strive to keep himself/herself abreast of the recent and latest
scientific developments related to physiotherapy and add to the knowledge fund.
(k) The physiotherapists shall not indulge in or associate with any activity that goes against the dignity,
honour and development of the profession.
(l) The physiotherapists shall contribute to the planning and development of professional services which
address the health needs of the community.
(m) Maintain high standards of professional conduct.
(n) Follow ethical practices outlined in the Code of Ethics. Strive to follow the ethical practices outlined
in the Principles for Physiotherapy Education and practice norms.
(o) Balance the wants, needs, and requirements of program patients, institutional policies, laws, and
sponsors. Members’ ultimate concern must be the long-term well-being of Physiotherapy education
and practice norms.
(p) Resist pressures (personal, social, organizational, financial, and political) to use their influence
inappropriately and refuse to allow self aggrandizement or personal gain to influence their
professional judgments.
(q) Seek appropriate guidance and direction when faced with ethical dilemmas.
(r) Make every effort to ensure that their services are offered only to individuals and organizations with
a legitimate claim on these services.
15.2 In Their Professional Preparation and Development, Members Shall:
(a) Accurately represent their areas of competence, education, training, and experience.
(b) Recognize the limits of their expertise and confine themselves to performing duties for which they
are properly educated, trained, and qualified, making referrals when situations are outside their area
of competence.
(c) Be informed of current developments in their fields, and ensure their continuing development and
competence.
(d) Stay abreast of laws and regulations that affect their clients.
(e) Stay knowledgeable about world events that impact Physiotherapy education and practice program
patients.
(f) Stay knowledgeable about differences in cultural and value orientations.
(g) Actively uphold IAP’s Ethical Rules &Guidelines when practices that contravene it become evident.
15.3 In Relationship with Students, Scholars, and Other Members Shall:
(a) Understand and protect the civil and human rights of all individuals.
(b) Not discriminate with regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, sexual
orientation, marital status, age, political opinion, immigration status, or disability.
(c) Recognize their own cultural and value orientations and be aware of how those orientations affect
their interactions with people from other cultures.
(d) Demonstrate awareness of, sensitivity to, and respect for other education and practice systems,
values, beliefs, and cultures.
(e) Not exploit, threaten, coerce, or sexually harass others.
(f) Not use one’s position to proselytize.
(g) Refrain from invoking governmental or institutional regulations in order to intimidate patients in
matters not related to their status.
(h) Maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and security of patients’ records and of all communications
with treatment program, Members shall secure permission of the individuals before sharing information
with others inside or outside the organization, unless disclosure is authorized by law or institutional
policy or is mandated by previous arrangement.
(i) Inform patients of their rights and responsibilities in the context of the institution and the
community.
(j) Respond to inquiries fairly, equitably, and professionally.
(k) Provide accurate, complete, current, and unbiased information.
(l) Refrain from becoming involved in personal relationships with patients when such relationships
might result in either the appearance or the fact of undue influence being exercised on the making of
professional judgments.
(m) Accept only gifts that are of nominal value and that do not seem intended to influence professional
decisions, while remaining sensitive to the varying significance and implications of gifts in different
cultures.
(n) Identify and provide appropriate referrals for patients who experience unusual levels of emotional
difficulty.
(o) Provide information, orientation, and support services needed to facilitate patient’s adaptation to a
new education and practice and cultural environment.
15.4 In Professional Relationships, Members Shall:
(a) Show respect for the diversity of viewpoints among colleagues, just as they show respect for the
diversity of viewpoints among their clients.
(b) Refrain from unjustified or unseemly criticism of fellow members, other programs and other
organizations.
(c) Use their office, title, and professional associations only for the conduct of official business.
(d) Uphold agreements when participating in joint activities and give due credit to collaborators for
their contributions.
(e) Carry out, in a timely and professional manner, any IAP responsibilities they agree to accept.
15.5 In Administering Programs, Members Shall:
(a) Clearly and accurately represent the identity of the organization and the goals, capabilities, and
costs of programs.
(b) Recruit individuals, paid and unpaid, who are qualified to offer the instruction or services promised,
train and supervise them responsibly, and ensure by means of regular evaluation that they are performing
acceptably and that the overall program is meeting its professed goals.
(c) Encourage and support participation in professional development activities.
(d) Strive to establish standards, activities, instruction, and fee structures that are appropriate and
responsive to patient’s needs.
(e) Provide appropriate orientation, materials, and on-going guidance for patients.
(f) Provide appropriate opportunities for students to observe and to join in mutual inquiry into cultural
differences.
(g) Take appropriate steps to enhance the safety and security of patients.
(h) Strive to ensure that the practices of those with whom one contracts do conform to IAP’s Code of
Ethics and the Principles for Physiotherapy Education and practice.
15.6 In Making Public Statements, Members Shall:
(a) Clearly distinguish, in both written and oral public statements, between their personal opinions and
those opinions representing IAP, their own institutions, or other organizations.
(b) Provide accurate, complete, current, and unbiased information.
China, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Israel are all a part of the WCPT (World Confederation for Physical Therapy) and so they follow the ethical guidelines on the WCPT website:
Policy statement: Ethical responsibilities of physical therapists and WCPT members
The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) expects its member organisations to:
- have a code of ethics or code of conduct
- publish, promote and circulate their code of ethics or code of conduct for the benefit of their members, the general public, employers, governments and government agencies
- have procedures for monitoring the practice of their members, disciplinary procedures and sanctions for members whose practice falls outside their code of ethics or code of conduct
WCPT offers advice and support to its member organisations wishing to develop codes of ethics or conduct.
The following statements expand on WCPT’s ethical principles.[1] They are intended to help member organisations and individuals interpret WCPT's ethical principles, with a particular view to supporting those physical therapy organisations wishing to develop codes of ethics that are consistent with WCPT's own ethical principles.
Ethical principle 1
Physical therapists respect the rights and dignity of all individuals.
Everyone who seeks the services of a physical therapist has the right to service regardless of age, gender, race, nationality, religion, ethnic origin, creed, colour, sexual orientation, disability, health status or politics.
Physical therapists should assure that patients/clients have the right to:
- the highest quality physical therapy services
- information about the physical therapy services
- make an informed consent
- confidentiality
- have access to their physical therapy data
- health education and health promotion services
- choose who should be informed on his/her behalf
Ethical principle 2
Physical therapists comply with the laws and regulations governing the practice of physical therapy in the country in which they practise.
Physical therapists will have a full understanding of the laws and regulations governing the practice of physical therapy. They have the right to refuse to treat or otherwise intervene when, in their opinion, the service is not in the best interests of the patient/client.
Physical therapists have the right to advocate for patient/client access to physical therapist services when, in their opinion, there is restricted access to those who have the capacity to benefit.
Ethical principle 3
Physical therapists accept responsibility for the exercise of sound judgement.
Physical therapists are professionally independent and autonomous practitioners. They make independent judgements in the provision of services for which they have knowledge and skills.
With each patient/client, physical therapists undertake appropriate examination/assessment to allow the development of a diagnosis. In light of the diagnosis and other relevant information about the patient/client and their goals, physical therapists determine the prognosis/plan of care and implement the interventions/treatment. When the goals have been achieved or further benefits can no longer be obtained, the physical therapist shall inform and discharge the patient/client. When the diagnosis is not clear or the required intervention/treatment is not within the realm of physical therapist practice, the physical therapist shall inform the patient/client and facilitate a referral to other professionals.
Physical therapists shall not delegate to another health professional or support worker any activity that requires the unique skill, knowledge and judgement of the physical therapist.
If the patient/client has been referred to the physical therapist by a medical practitioner and the treatment programme prescribed is not appropriate in the judgement of the physical therapist, then the physical therapist should consult with the referring medical practitioner.
Physical therapists have the right to expect co-operation from their colleagues.
Ethical principle 4
Physical therapists provide honest, competent and accountable professional services.
Physical therapists shall:
- ensure that their behaviour and conduct is professional at all times
- deliver timely, patient/client-specific physical therapy intervention/treatment in line with the individual’s goals
- ensure that patients/clients understand the nature of the service being provided, especially the anticipated costs (both time and financial)
- undertake a continuous, planned, personal development programme designed to maintain and enhance professional knowledge and skills
- maintain appropriate patient/client records to allow effective evaluation of the patient’s/client's care and evaluation of the physical therapist's practice
- not disclose any information about a patient/client to a third party without the patient’s/client's permission or prior knowledge, unless such disclosure is required by law
- participate in peer review and other forms of practice evaluation, the results of which shall not be disclosed to another party without the permission of the physical therapist
- maintain data to facilitate service performance measurement and make that data available to other agents as required by mutual agreement
- not allow their services to be misused
The ethical principles governing the practice of physical therapy shall take precedence over any business or employment practice. Where such conflict arises, the physical therapist shall make all efforts to rectify the matter, seeking the assistance of the national physical therapy association if required.
Ethical principle 5
Physical therapists are committed to providing quality services.
Physical therapists shall:
- be aware of the currently accepted standards of practice and undertake activities which measure their conformity
- participate in continuing professional development to enhance their basic knowledge and to provide new knowledge
- support research that contributes to improved patient/client interventions and service delivery
- keep up to date with the best evidence available and implement it in their practice
- support quality education in academic and clinical settings
Physical therapists engaged in research shall ensure that they:
- abide by all current rules and policies applying to the conduct of research on human subjects
- have obtained subjects’ consent
- protect subjects’ confidentiality
- protect subjects’ safety and well-being
- do not engage in fraud or plagiarism
- fully disclose any research support and appropriately acknowledge any assistance
- report any breaches of the rules to appropriate authorities
- freely share the results of their research, especially in journals and conference presentations
Physical therapists in the role of employer shall:
- ensure all employees are properly and duly qualified, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements
- apply current management principles and practices to the conduct of the service, with particular attention to appropriate standards of personnel management
- ensure policies and procedures are properly developed, implemented and monitored
- ensure that clinical practice is appropriately evaluated and audited
- provide adequate opportunities for staff education and personal development based on effective performance appraisal
Ethical principle 6
Physical therapists are entitled to a just and fair level of remuneration for their services.
Physical therapists shall:
- ensure that their fee schedules are based on prevailing market conditions
- ensure that fees charged offer value for money
- ensure as much as possible that reimbursement from third-party funders are reflective of and consistent with good practice (third-party funders should not seek to exert control in any way that restricts the scope of practice of physical therapists or inhibits their right to fair remuneration)
- ensure that influence is not used for personal gain
- ensure that sound business principles are applied when dealing with suppliers, manufacturers and other agents
Ethical principle 7
Physical therapists provide accurate information to patients/clients, other agencies and the community about physical therapy and about the services physical therapists provide.
Physical therapists:
- shall participate in public education programmes, providing information about the profession
- shall inform the public and referring professionals truthfully about the nature of their service so that individuals are more able to make a decision about the use of the service
- may advertise their services
- shall not use false, fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, unfair or sensational statements or claims
- shall claim only those titles which correctly describe their professional status
Ethical principle 8
Physical therapists contribute to the planning and development of services that address the health needs of the community.
Physical therapists have a duty and obligation to participate in planning services designed to provide optimum community health.
Physical therapists are obliged to work toward achieving justice in the provision of health services for all people
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