American Physical Therapy Association Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant and the Guide for Conduct of the Affiliate Member

2008 ◽  
pp. 157-162
Author(s):  
Ron Scott ◽  
Christopher Petrosino
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Ethical Conduct ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistant ◽  
American Physical

scholarly journals The Revised APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist and Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant: Theory, Purpose, Process, and Significance

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 803-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Lee Swisher ◽  
Peggy Hiller ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Codes Of Ethics ◽  
Ethical Conduct ◽  
Vision 2020 ◽  
Deliberative Process ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistant ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistants

IntroductionIn June 2009, the House of Delegates (HOD) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) passed a major revision of the APTA Code of Ethics for physical therapists and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant. The revised documents will be effective July 1, 2010.PurposeThe purposes of this article are: (1) to provide a historical, professional, and theoretical context for this important revision; (2) to describe the 4-year revision process; (3) to examine major features of the documents; and (4) to discuss the significance of the revisions from the perspective of the maturation of physical therapy as a doctoring profession.Process of RevisionThe process for revision is delineated within the context of history and the Bylaws of APTA.Format, Structure, and Content of Revised Core Ethics DocumentsThe revised documents represent a significant change in format, level of detail, and scope of application. Previous APTA Codes of Ethics and Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant have delineated very broad general principles, with specific obligations spelled out in the Ethics and Judicial Committee's Guide for Professional Conduct and Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant. In contrast to the current documents, the revised documents address all 5 roles of the physical therapist, delineate ethical obligations in organizational and business contexts, and align with the tenets of Vision 2020.SignificanceThe significance of this revision is discussed within historical parameters, the implications for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, the maturation of the profession, societal accountability and moral community, potential regulatory implications, and the inclusive and deliberative process of moral dialogue by which changes were developed, revised, and approved.

scholarly journals Decision-Making Ability of Physical Therapists: Physical Therapy Intervention or Medical Referral

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (12) ◽  
pp. 1619-1629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane U Jette ◽  
Kerry Ardleigh ◽  
Kellie Chandler ◽  
Lesley McShea
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Direct Access ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Musculoskeletal Conditions ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
American Physical ◽  
Medical Referral

Abstract Background and PurposeOpponents of direct access to physical therapy argue that physical therapists may overlook serious medical conditions. More information is needed to determine the ability of physical therapists to practice safely in direct-access environments. The purpose of this study was to describe the ability of physical therapists to make decisions about the management of patients in a direct-access environment. Subjects. Of a random sample of 1,000 members of the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association, 394 participated. Methods. A survey included 12 hypothetical case scenarios. For each case, participants determined whether they would provide intervention without referral, provide intervention and refer, or refer before intervention. The percentage of correct decisions for each group of scenarios was calculated for each participant, and participants were classified as having made correct decisions for 100% of cases or less for each group. Three sets of logistic regressions were completed to determine the characteristics of the participants in relation to the decision category. Results. The average percentages of correct decisions were 87%, 88%, and 79% for musculoskeletal, noncritical medical, and critical medical conditions, respectively. Of all participants, approximately 50% made correct decisions for all cases within each group. The odds of making 100% correct decisions if a physical therapist had an orthopedic specialization were 2.23 (95% confidence interval=1.35–3.71) for musculoskeletal conditions and 1.89 (95% confidence interval=1.14–3.15) for critical medical conditions. Discussion and Conclusion. Physical therapists with an orthopedic specialization were almost twice as likely to make correct decisions for critical medical and musculoskeletal conditions.

Administration and Management Skills Needed by Physical Therapist Graduates in 2010: A National Survey

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Sue Schafer ◽  
Rosalie B Lopopolo ◽  
Kathleen A Luedtke-Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Financial Analysis ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Health Care Environment ◽  
Doctor Of Physical Therapy ◽  
Skill Groups ◽  
American Physical

Background and Purpose Administration and management (A&M) skills are essential to physical therapist practice. This study identified which A&M skills will be most critical for future Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates to possess upon entry into clinical practice. Subjects and Methods Using a 7-point scale, 435 randomly selected American Physical Therapy Association members (physical therapists) rated 121 A&M skills based on expectation of the level of independence required by a new DPT graduate. Results No differences among respondents based on role, work setting, or experience were found, so the data were combined for factor analyses, producing 16 A&M skill groups. The most independence was expected in skills related to self-management, compliance with rules, ethical behavior, and insurance coding. Skills requiring the most assistance were marketing and strategic planning, financial analysis and budgeting, and environmental assessment. Discussion and Conclusion This study has identified the level of independence for the A&M skills needed by new DPT graduates, provided empirical evidence suggesting which A&M skills should be included in DPT curricula, and suggested a pattern of A&M skill acquisition that applies first to the new therapist and the patient, then to the organization, and finally to the health care environment.

scholarly journals Association of Importance of the Doctoral Degree With Students' Perceptions and Anticipated Activities Reflecting Professionalism

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (8) ◽  
pp. 766-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie A Johanson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Doctoral Degree ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Doctor Of Physical Therapy ◽  
Physical Therapist Students ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
American Physical

Abstract Background and Purpose. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has identified the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree as 1 of 6 elements necessary to transition the physical therapy profession to a fully professionalized discipline. However, there have been no data to determine whether physical therapist students who place importance on the DPT degree perceive physical therapy to be more professionalized or anticipate participation in activities reflecting professionalism more than those who do not place importance on the DPT degree. Subjects. The subjects were 919 professional physical therapist students. Methods. Faculty members at 34 physical therapist education programs distributed questionnaires to 1,172 professional physical therapist students and returned 919 questionnaires, for a response rate of 78.4%. The data were statistically analyzed using chi-square analysis and logistic regression. Results. There were few differences between students who place importance on the DPT degree (DPT-I students) and those who do not place importance on the DPT degree (DPT-NI students) regarding how professionalized they perceive physical therapy to be relative to other health care professions or regarding their anticipated participation in activities reflecting professionalism. The one potential distinction found when controlling for other variables was that DPT-I students were more likely than DPT-NI students to anticipate becoming faculty members. Discussion and Conclusion. When beginning their professional education, there are few differences between DPT-I and DPT-NI students' perceptions of the professionalization of physical therapy or anticipation of activities reflecting professionalism.

Referral for Imaging in Physical Therapist Practice: Key Recommendations for Successful Implementation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Paul Keil ◽  
Charles Hazle ◽  
Amma Maurer ◽  
Connie Kittleson ◽  
Daniel Watson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Diagnostic Imaging ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
The United States ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Program Accreditation ◽  
Therapy Program ◽  
Normative Practice ◽  
American Physical

Abstract In recent years, the use of diagnostic imaging in physical therapist practice in the United States (US) has gained considerable interest. In several countries around the world and in the US military, patient direct referral for diagnostic imaging has been considered normative practice for decades. US physical therapy program accreditation standards now stipulate that diagnostic imaging content must be included in physical therapist educational curricula. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has made efforts to pursue practice authority for imaging referral. A recent review of state practice acts and other statutory language concluded that many states have no prohibitions against physical therapists referring for imaging studies. Additionally, physical therapists can now pursue certification as musculoskeletal sonographers. In light of these advances, and with a growing number of PTs serving patients who have not yet seen another healthcare provider, it may be helpful for those who have been actively involved in the use of imaging in PT practice to provide their collective recommendations to serve as a guideline to those interested in incorporating this practice privilege. The purpose of this perspective article is to provide an overview of the key elements necessary for effective implementation of referral for imaging in physical therapist practice while emphasizing the cornerstone of effective communication.

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