The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is a national professional organization representing more than 74,000 members and its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education. The APTA just like every other organization has a code of ethics that it requires its members to follow. In 1935, APTA adopted its first Code of Ethics and Discipline. This Code provided a formal statement that acknowledged the ethical obligations of Association members. Since 1935, the Code has been revised several times. The current version of the Code of Ethics was adopted by APTA's House of Delegates in 2009 and
The APTA code of ethics clearly defines the goals and ethical principles of the organization. It provides an ethical guidance for all physical therapists, and prevents them from taking advantage of their patient/client. It encourages the physical therapist 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, which include management of patients/clients, consultation, education, research, and administration, and the multiple realms of ethical action, which include 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. The physical therapists have a special obligation 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. The eight princi...
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... the physical therapist that requires them to make ethical judgments. The APTA code of ethics, guides the physical therapists in making these ethical judgments by asserting the ideals of the profession and by defining some of the limits of professionally and morally acceptable behavior. The APTA code of ethics is very thorough and although it may not be prepared for every situation that may evolve, it is being revised from time to time as the dynamics of the physical therapy profession changes and new patterns of health care delivery are developed and accepted by the professional community and the public.
Works Cited
http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Policies_and_Bylaws1&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=73012
http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=About_APTA&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=41&ContentID=23725
It is important as a professional health care provider to have guidelines, regulations, and ethical standards to obey when providing care to the public. The ACA is to improve the quality of professional counselors in the community with education, knowledge, and guidelines by providing an ACA Code of Ethics standard when delivering treatment toward a clientele (American Counseling Association, 2015). One particular part of the ACA mission that is essential, is the ACA Code of Ethics. The purpose of the ACA Code of Ethics is a guide to ensure counselors in training and professional counselors understand the ethical obligations toward clients, possible grievances for conduct unbecoming, and professional responsibilities, which supports the ACA
Sim, J (1997). Ethical Decision Making in Therapy Practice. Oxford: Reed Educational and Professional Publishing Ltd. p.16.
American Counseling Association (2005). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author. - See more at: http://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/ethics#sthash.13ImD8Lb.dpuf
After looking through the codes of ethics in which were presented, I decided to compare and contrast the American Psychological Association (APA) code of ethics to the International Association of Chiefs of Police Officer (IACP) code of ethics. When comparing the two codes, I was quite surprised as to what I came across. For example, she APA code of ethics is quite comprehensive in comparison to the IACP. For example, the APA code of ethics sets forth general principles, ethical standards, rules and procedures to follow, possible sanctions one could receive, and provides guidance for psychologists and organizations who choose to adopt them. Where as, in comparison the IACP code of ethics is barely a code of ethics as it represents more of what
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When I think of the word autonomy, I think of the words control and independence. Autonomy is important in the professional field of physical therapy and can also be thought of as a “social contract” 1(98) professionally based on public confidence. As doctors and primary care physicians are becoming less influential in the medical field, physical therapists are gaining more autonomy in practice. It is important to always remember professionalism and service to patients as autonomy in physical therapy grows. 1(99) There are still many challenges therapists will face to gain more autonomy, but the idea is continuing to progress. As autonomy in physical therapist practice grows, so does the expectation of increasing knowledge and professional behavior and practice. Professionalism can have many definitions and meanings, but I feel the most strongly connected with a specific definition:
O’Conner pinpointed ( as cited in Chenoweth& McAuliffe, p. 78) that the code of ethics is clearly linked to the process of professionalization which establishes guideline for professional behavior, assist in establishing a professional identity, provide self-regulation measures, protect clients from incompetent practitioners and protect worker from malpractice lawsuits. The primary responsibility of worker is to promote the well-being of clients. As a disability worker, Code of ethics is intended to assist all workers collectively and individually to act in ethically accountable ways. It helps to identify the ideals and purpose of the social work profession. In instances when clients are not receiving services, the worker should provide information about nature and extent of services.. In the same way, in the field of disability, the code of ethics is the core document which informs and guides the ethical practice of disability worker (AAAW, 2010). The human services professional protects the integrity, safety, and security of clients records, and the professional should be aware that
Physical Therapist (PT), are skilled health care practitioners that aim to improve movement, reduce pain and increase patient enjoyment of life. All while providing moral, legal and ethical care to patients. However, each of these requirements of practice are dictated by different entities. Meaning, that the requirements sometimes may or may not correlate with one another. Legally, therapist must abide by both state and national laws that are put in place for all health care professionals, in addition to those specific to the field of Physical Therapy. Whereas, ethical responsibilities may be dictated by the professional organizations and society norms. While morals vary according to different cultures and subcultures, making them specific
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As with every code of ethics the Physician Assistant profession has revised its code of ethics to keep with the changing times in the medical field. Four main bioethical principles broadly guided the development of these guidelines: autonomy, beneficence, no maleficence, and justice.3This Physician Assistant (PA) should follow the do no harm rule, understand the patient has the right to make decisions about their care, always act in the best interest of the patient, and treat all the patients the same and make sure care is consistent for every
The primary weakness of the APA is that it only applies to professional conduct and not private life. According to Pipes, Holstein, and Aguirre (2005), "APA codes apply within their role as psychologists...they may, with impunity from the Code, demean individuals of a particular gender or a particular religion with whom they interact only on a personal basis" (p. 326). While the APA has enforceable standards, the preamble and general principles are aspirational and seek to create individuals whose professional character will successfully integrate into their personal lives. For example, Jenny 's consultation with Rhonda went from a professional consultation to a gossip session on other issues within organization; when they failed "to guard against personal, financial, social, organizational or political factors" (APA, 2010) that might influence their ability to objectively resolve the present ethical dilemma. While the APA provide ethical principles and a professional code of conduct provide a foundation for resolving ethical dilemmas, it is not exhaustive and individuals should seek and use other models to help them resolve their ethical dilemmas, such as the eight-step decision
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Code of ethics act as a promise to protect and support the safety of individuals in society, supports as a leading light it help the supporters of an occupation, resolve ethical problems and act as a protector the community. A code of ethics discloses and conserves the current viewpoint professionals on in what way to make ethical decisions. It stresses importance on obligation to moral values and vital beliefs. Application of a code of ethics helps us to guarantee that members of the profession will be accountable for their actions. It helps us to learn about the responsibility we have for ourselves, our colleagues and to the social structure of the profession. It is essential that the present and future psychologist should be aware of the formal ethical codes of practices in psychology. The American Psychological Association (APA) developed this formal Ethics Code which demonstrates the approaches to the psychologist about logical, educational, and clinical behaviors to be followed while working as a licensed person. By applying the ethical code a psychologist can identify ethical issues, interrelate with others professionally. This can inhibit and solve ethical dilemmas, and he /she will be able achieve their professional protagonists and responsibilities.
Integrity, respect for persons, justice, non-maleficence, and responsibility are all identified within the code, however compassion is not directly stated but is implied. To show compassion for others during suffering is an almost automatic response in nursing. When nurses decide to act either beneficently or non-maleficently they are doing a service to those being cared for. When dealing with human lives moral value becomes especially important, and is not situationally dependent. Ethical neutrality does not have a place in professional ethics, and an obligation to respect the moral values is necessary. The code deals with specific issues related to the nursing profession, and ensures standards are upheld. Creation of code of ethics within a profession limits misconduct, create safeguards, promote trust for the profession within society, and preserves the integrity of the profession (Soskolne, 1984) It is important for me to emphasize the difference between the nurse’s code of ethics and the Hippocratic Oath. The nurses ethical code is tailored toward the care provided to the patient, and not the involved science and diagnostic aspect of the