ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF PHYSICAL THERAPISTS AND MEMBER ORGANISATIONS

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.

• ensure that the association, or relevant regularity body, has procedures for monitoring the
practice of their members, handling complaints, along with appropriate 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, personal dignity, privacy and autonomy 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. 2

Physical therapists should assure that patients/clients have the right to:

• the highest quality physical therapy services

• information about the physical therapy services

• either provide informed consent or refuse treatment

• confidentiality

• have access to their physical therapy data

• health education and health promotion services

• choose who, if anyone should be informed on his/her behalf

Physical therapists comply with the laws and regulations governing the practice of physical therapy
in the country in which they practise and the policies of their professional associations and
regulatory bodies

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 intervene/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’s/client’s 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 professional 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.

This includes developing goal based treatment plans in collaboration with patients/clients based on
accurate assessment and diagnosis, accurate clinical advice and discharge planning.

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 or other practitioner
and a treatment programme has been prescribed it is the responsibility of the physical therapist to
assess and determine the most appropriate intervention/treatment.

Physical therapists have the right to expect co-operation from their colleagues.

Physical therapists will take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing 3 and ensure the
exercising of sound professional judgement is not compromised

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

• 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

• not disclose any information about a patient/client to a third party without the patient’s/client's
permission, 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 or abuse their professional power.

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 provide fair, equitable, inclusive and 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 and improve their knowledge and
skills

• 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’ informed consent

• have obtained approval from relevant ethical and administrative bodies

• protect subjects’ confidentiality

• protect subjects’ safety and well-being

• 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 charge and receive 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 misused

•ensure that sound and ethical business principles are applied when dealing with
suppliers,manufacturers and other agents
Ethical principle 7:

Physical therapists provide accurate and appropriate 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
thatindividuals are more able to make a decision about the use of the service

•may advertise their services in a professional manner consistent with the law of the jurisdiction in
whichthey practice.

•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 which address the health
needs of the community.

Physical therapists shall:

•participate in planning services designed to provide optimum community health

•work toward achieving justice in the provision of health services for all people