Ethics in Practice: Resources for PTs and PTAs (2026)
Presented by Ellen R. Strunk
Nonfinancial: Ellen Strunk has no competing nonfinancial interests or relationships with regard to the content presented in this course.
Ethics or moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong conduct. To be ethical is not the same as following the law. The law often incorporates ethical standards to which most citizens subscribe. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants face numerous situations every day where we are required to utilize ethical decision-making standards. Therapists and therapist assistants who embrace a culture of knowing their code of ethics can create a culture where risk is mitigated. This course will demonstrate the resources available to clinicians to utilize in the workplace.
Meet your instructor
Ellen R. Strunk
Ellen R. Strunk has worked in various roles and settings as a clinician, manager/director, and policy expert. Ellen is an expert at helping customers understand the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) prospective payment systems in the skilled nursing facility and home health settings, as well as outpatient therapy…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Ethics in Practice
How do you define ‘ethics’? The meaning of this word can be hard to determine since it is often colored by our own individual experiences and beliefs. It is important to distinguish our ethics from our feelings. This chapter will begin to define the term and how it applies to the practice of physical therapy.
2. Resources for the PT and PTA: Part One
The American Physical Therapy Association has several guiding documents for both physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. This chapter will introduce these documents and inform attendees of their relevance in practice.
3. Resources for the PT and PTA: Part Two
Part Two: The American Physical Therapy Association has several guiding documents for both physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. This chapter will introduce these documents and inform attendees of their relevance in practice.
4. The Model for Ethical Decision-Making
Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants confront ethical decisions every day. While some decisions may come easily, others may involve scenarios where clinicians are struggling between two competing obligations. Utilizing an established sequence of steps to resolve these difficult ethical situations is important. This chapter will review the decision-making framework called Realm-Individual Process-Situation (RIPS) Model of Ethical Decision-Making.
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