When I saw the description for what I had to write about in my prompted post this week, I honestly had no idea as to how any kind of "code of ethics" would apply to the physical therapy field. Well, as it turns out I was wrong. After looking online, I found the "Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist" which explains everything about what exactly the code of ethics for physical therapy is.
The "Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist" includes a preamble and several different principles. The preamble explains the purpose of the code of ethics, how the code is based on the different roles of a physical therapist, the core values of the profession, and the realams of ethical action. Along with all of things the preamble states the core values of physical therapy.
That the seven core values of physical therapy are: accountability, altruism, compassion/caring, excellence, integrity, professional duty, and social responsibility.
The principles are the body of the code of ethics and there are 8 principles that are outlined and discussed into some detail. These principles are:
Principle #1
Physical therapists shall respect the inherent dignity and rights of all individuals.
The core values that go along with this principle are compassion and integrity.
Principle #2
Physical therapists shall be trustworthy and compassionate in addressing the rights and needs of patients/clients.
The core values that go along with this principle are altruism, compassion, and professional duty.
Principle #3
Physical therapists shall be accountable for making sound professional judgments.
The core values that go along with this principle are excellence and integrity.
Principle #4
Physical therapists shall demonstrate integrity in their relationships with patients/clients, families, colleagues, students, research participants, other health care providers, employers, and the public.
There is only one core value to go along with this principle and that is integrity.
Principle #5
Physical therapists shall fufill their legal and professional obligations.
The core values that go along with this principle are professional duty and accountability.
Principle #6
Physical therapists shall enhance their expertise through the lifelong acquistion and refinement of knowledge, skills, abilities, and professional behaviors.
There is only one core value to go alone with this principle and that is excellence.
Principle #7
Physical therapists shall promote organizational behaviors and business practices that benefit patients/clients and society.
The core values that go along with this principle are integrity and accountability.
Principle #8
Physical therapists shall participate in efforts to meet the health needs of people locally, nationally, or globally.
There is only one core value that goes along with this principle and that is social responsibilty.
For those who want to read more depth about the code of ethics in physical therapy the link is:
http://www.apta.org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/About_US/Policies/Ethics/CodeofEthics.pdf
As an aspiring physical therapist, all of these core values and ethics would have to apply to my life and myself as a person. There are already so many of these core values that I can apply to myself. This code corresponds to my own beliefs and ethics in the way that I believe that a person should be accountable for their actions no matter what. Going along with being held accountable I believe that a person should have integrity with everything they do. People should be compassionate towards not just the things and people they love, but everyone and everything. That goes in hand in hand with altruism and being selfless or doing this for the well being of other people. I truly do believe that everyone should strive for excellence during their life and apply themselves to their true ability to benefit not only themselves but society as a whole (social responsibility). Many of my actions right now as a student in college can help prepare me for the work in my field. I have a job, and at my job there are guidelines that I have to follow, I have a specific job/task that I was hired to do and that's all a part of my professional duty as a student worker at my place of employment. As a student, I'm held accountable for the work in all of my classes, attending my classes, and getting the grades that I think I deserve. I also have an academic integrity to live up to which includes not cheating on an exam, quiz, etc. In the sorority that I am in, every single one of the core values applies. We're all expected to care about one another, be there for one another, be honest with one other, do things to better the sorority and the members in it, and we have positions and jobs within the sorority to keep everything running smoothly.
CITATIONS
"Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist." APTA. American Physical Therapy Association, 2014. Web. 12 Feb 2014.
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