Principle 11
A physical therapist shall respect the rights, knowledge, and skills of colleagues and other health care professionals.
This principle includes
provisions for consultation with others when necessary for the welfare of your
patient. It also states that physical therapists should not
"undermine" the relationship between your patient and other health
care practitioners, and further that we should not "disparage" other
health care professionals. We may disagree with how our patients are treated by
others. If you disagree with the care that someone else is providing, the most
ethical manner to handle the situation is to directly consult with the other
health care practitioner and express your concerns in a professional manner.
However, if direct contact with the other provider is unfruitful, and you fear
for the safety of the patient, the patient should be informed. This can often be
a serious problem that may have repercussions for both your patient and your
practice, so you should choose your words carefully when discussing other health
care practitioners with your patients.