Ethics in Physical Therapy: A Case Based Approach

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A Case-Based Approach to Learning Ethics in Physical Therapy

Ethics in Physical Therapy utilizes a unique case-based approach to teach students and clinicians how to apply theoretical concepts to real-world situations.  The cases were carefully selected to encourage thinking and discussion. The accompanying text provides a framework to answer the “should” questions, such as “What should I do?” and “How should I act?” The format provides the opportunity to move beyond the individual realm, when appropriate, resolving issues within an institutional or societal perspective. 

The text is divided into two sections: “Ethics for the Physical Therapist” and “Types of Ethical Decisions: Case Analysis”. They are designed to integrate with one another, but, each section can also be used separately.  Part I provides more didactic, foundational material, while Part II strives to apply ethical decision-making tools to relevant cases in physical therapy practice, with the second section focusing on case analyses.

The purpose of Ethics in Physical Therapy is to give students and clinicians a lens through which to analyze contemporary ethical challenges. Philosophical theory within the text is limited to that which can be applied practically in the clinical setting. This book is not intended to be a work on ethical behavior, rather, it is designed to provide students and clinicians with a framework in which to approach the uncertainty of ethical decision making with tools to aid their inherent judgment.

Nancy Kirsch, PT, DPT, PhD is director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Rutgers University.  She is currently on the APTA Scope of Practice Task Force and vice president of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.