Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist

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.

This Code of Ethics is built upon the five roles of the physical therapist:

1. Management of patients/clients
2. Consultation
3. Education
4. Research
5. Administration

Physical therapist practice is guided by a set of seven core values:

1. Accountability
2. Altruism
3. Compassion/Caring
4. Excellence
5. Integrity
6. Professional Duty
7. Social Responsibility

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

#1

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

Core Values: Compassion, Integrity

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.

Physical therapists shall recognize their personal biases and shall not discriminate against others in
physical therapist practice, consultation, education, research, and administration

#2

Physical therapists shall be trustworthy and compassionate in addressing the rights and needs of
patients/clients.

Core Values: Altruism, Compassion, Professional Duty

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.

Physical therapists shall provide physical therapy services with compassionate and caring behaviors
that incorporate the individual and cultural differences of patients/clients.

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.

Physical therapists shall collaborate with patients/clients to empower them in decisions about their
health care.

Physical therapists shall protect confidential patient/client information and may disclose confidential
information to appropriate authorities only when allowed or as required by law.

#3

Physical therapists shall be accountable for making sound professional judgments.

Core Values: Excellence, Integrity

Physical therapists shall demonstrate independent and objective professional judgment in the
patient’s/client’s best interest in all practice settings.

Physical therapists shall demonstrate professional judgment informed by professional standards,

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.

Physical therapists shall not engage in conflicts of interest that interfere with professional judgment.
Physical therapists shall provide appropriate direction of and communication with physical therapist
assistants and support personnel.

#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

Physical therapists shall provide truthful, accurate, and relevant information and shall not make
misleading representations.

Physical therapists shall not exploit persons over whom they have supervisory, evaluative or other
authority (e.g. patients/clients, students, supervisees, research participants, or employees).

Physical therapists shall discourage misconduct by health care professionals and report illegal or
unethical acts to the relevant authority, when appropriate.

Physical therapists shall report suspected cases of abuse involving children or vulnerable adults to
the appropriate authority, subject to law.

Physical therapists shall not engage in any sexual relationship with any of their patients/clients,
supervisees, or students.

Physical therapists shall not harass anyone verbally, physically, emotionally, or sexually.

#5

Physical therapists shall fulfill their legal and professional obligations.

Core Values: Professional Duty, Accountability

Physical therapists shall comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

Physical therapists shall have primary responsibility for supervision of physical therapist assistants
and support personnel.

Physical therapists involved in research shall abide by accepted standards governing protection of
research participants.

Physical therapists shall encourage colleagues with physical, psychological, or substance-related

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

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
#6

Physical therapists shall enhance their expertise through the lifelong acquisition and refinement of
knowledge, skills, abilities, and professional behaviors.

Core Value: Excellence

Physical therapists shall achieve and maintain professional competence.

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.

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.

Physical therapists shall cultivate practice environments that support professional development,
lifelong learning, and excellence.

#7

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

Core Values: Integrity, Accountability

Physical therapists shall promote practice environments that support autonomous and accountable
professional judgments.

Physical therapists shall seek remuneration as is deserved and reasonable for physical therapist
services.

Physical therapists shall not accept gifts or other considerations that influence or give an appearance
of influencing their professional judgment.

Physical therapists shall fully disclose any financial interest they have in products or services that
they recommend to patients/clients.

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.

Physical therapists shall refrain from employment arrangements, or other arrangements, that
prevent physical therapists from fulfilling professional obligations to patients/clients

#8

Physical therapists shall participate in efforts to meet the health needs of people locally,
nationally, or globally.

Core Value: Social Responsibility

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.
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.

Physical therapists shall be responsible stewards of health care resources and shall avoid
overutilization or underutilization of physical therapy services.

Physical therapists shall educate members of the public about the benefits of physical therapy and
the unique role of the physical therapist.