Omar Ward

October 20, 2020

Code of Ethics

Dr. Bowman

The code of ethics for Physical Therapists consists of eight principles, Physical therapists

shall respect the inherent dignity and rights of all individuals, Physical therapists shall be

trustworthy and compassionate in addressing the rights and needs of patients/clients, Physical

therapists shall be accountable for making sound professional judgments. Physical therapists

shall demonstrate integrity in their relationships with patients/clients, families, colleagues,

students, research partici- pants, other health care providers, employers, payers, and the public.

Physical therapists shall fulfill their legal and professional obligations. Physical therapists shall

enhance their expertise through the lifelong acquisition and refinement of knowledge, skills,

abilities, and professional behaviors. Physical therapists shall promote organizational behaviors

and business practices that benefit patients/clients and society. Physical therapists shall

participate in efforts to meet the health needs of people locally, nationally, or globally. I learned

that physical therapists are to consult with the patient's primary care physician or the highest

authority in whatever it is which was interesting to me because I thought that would be based

with patient confidentiality. So if a patient is saying or known to say steroids is the case, they are

permitted to let that higher authority know that the patient is engaging in that illegal activity.

Which I can also see why because it is very negatively affected by the patient's health and

progressive treatment. It is also said in Principle number five that Physical therapists shall not

accept gifts or other consider-ations that influence or give an appearance of influencing their

professional judgment. This to me is kind of weird also because what if it is a Christmas gift
from a patient thanking you in a kind manner or so you think and then they get offended if you

don’t give them the answer they want and their persuasion doesn’t work. Are you to return the

gift? But it kind of makes sense to me now thinking about it because you may see it as just a kind

gesture but in reality they are looking to bribe you. And the last new ethical guideline I found

and thought interesting was Physical therapists shall educate members of the public about the

benefits of physical therapy and the unique role of the physical therapist. I feel as if this would

be kind of hard because some people can be ignorant and will not listen to you and act like you

don’t know what you are talking about even if you were in school for five to six years and have

ten plus years of experience in what you are trying to educate them in. I don’t completely

disagree with doing it and trying to help out the community and give people knowledge on a

healthier and better lifestyle and help them out later on in life is a great thing to do. But,

sometimes you have to remember the crowd that you are entertaining and might have to narrow

it down to a certain population that is willing to make the change and think about participating so

doing a quick questionnaire and then getting back at the people who seemed interested in what

you have to say.