APPENDIX 1

CODE OF ETHICS
AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION

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 behaviour 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 behaviours 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 fulfil 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 behaviour.
(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 behaviour 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.