Ethical Decision-Making in Physical Therapy |
Principle 1 (Continued)This principle instructs physical therapists to look at the whole person who is in our care. You should be concerned with the patients' "physical, psychological, and socioeconomic welfare." Too often we focus on the patient's physical problems, when we know how much the other aspects of a patient's life may affect the outcome of our treatments. The principle of beneficence is clearly invoked as the Code instructs us to help patients from a broad perspective. If we recognize how pain or loss of control affects persons psychologically, we can help patients better achieve their goals. Further, being aware of financial limitations of patients should guide the therapist in the choice of treatment techniques, equipment, or number of visits. If the patient's insurance does not pay for certain treatments, the therapist should make an effort to choose the most effective treatments that will cause the patient the least financial burden. Principle 1 of the Code and Standard 1 also address the issues of harassment, abuse and discrimination. Because harassment, abuse and discrimination are difficult to define and may be perceived differently by people, this aspect of the Code and Guide are often difficult to interpret and enforce. When there is an alleged violation of this aspect of the Code, there is usually no "objective evidence" and may be viewed as one person's word against another. Therefore it is particularly important that therapists practice in a manner in which the dignity of the patient and colleagues is always apparent, so that accusations of harassment, abuse or discrimination will not be made. While we, as professionals would like to believe that no member of the APTA would violate the Code by harassment, abuse or discrimination, it does happen and the CEC must investigate these allegations thoroughly.
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