Ethical Rules & Guidelines
01. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Physiotherapists shall provide honest quality care, competent and accountable professional consultancy, therapeutic and otherwise, as 1st contact practitioner to any person who may seek or may be in need of the same.
- The Physiotherapists shall administer only such treatment that is in the interest of the patient with the responsibility for the exercise of sound judgment with diligence.
- The physiotherapists shall respect the dignity and basic rights of the patients and professional colleagues.
- The physiotherapists shall refer the patient to the appropriate specialists whenever the problems/symptoms of the diseases of the patient so demand.
- The physiotherapists shall maintain secrecy of the patient’s disease and shall not divulge the same to any other individual except to professional colleagues during scientific case discussions/meetings.
- The physiotherapists shall provide accurate information to the patient or to the next relative if required about the problem and specific physiotherapy management of that individual’s problems if required.
- The physiotherapy management shall have the prior consent of the patient/relative if the procedure adopted involves risk of any damage to the tissue, organ system or any side effects/complications after explaining the same accurately.
- The physiotherapists shall comply with the laws governing the patient’s rights and cause.
- The physiotherapists shall not solicit patients through fee splitting. It shall be based upon their individual competence and ability in accordance with the accepted scientific standards.
- The physiotherapists shall constantly strive to keep himself/herself abreast of the recent and latest scientific - Navigation - developments related to physiotherapy and add to the knowledge fund.
- The physiotherapists shall constantly strive to keep himself/herself abreast of the recent and latest scientific - Navigation - developments related to physiotherapy and add to the knowledge fund.
- The physiotherapists shall not indulge in or associate with any activity that goes against the dignity, honour and development of the profession.
- The physiotherapists shall contribute to the planning and development of professional services which address the health needs of the community.
- Maintain high standards of professional conduct.
- Follow ethical practices outlined in the Code of Ethics. Strive to follow the ethical practices outlined in the Principles for Physiotherapy Education and practice norms.
- Balance the wants, needs, and requirements of program patients, institutional policies, laws, and sponsors. Members’ ultimate concern must be the long-term well-being of Physiotherapy education and practice norms.
- Resist pressures (personal, social, organizational, financial, and political) to use their influence inappropriately and refuse to allow self aggrandizement or personal gain to influence their professional judgments.
- Seek appropriate guidance and direction when faced with ethical dilemmas.
- Make every effort to ensure that their services are offered only to individuals and organizations with a legitimate claim on these services.
02. IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION AND DEVELOPMENT
- Accurately represent their areas of competence, education, training, and experience.
- Recognize the limits of their expertise and confine themselves to performing duties for which they are properly educated, trained, and qualified, making referrals when situations are outside their area of competence.
- Be informed of current developments in their fields, and ensure their continuing development and competence.
- Stay abreast of laws and regulations that affect their clients.
- Stay knowledgeable about world events that impact Physiotherapy education and practice program patients.
- Stay knowledgeable about differences in cultural and value orientations.
- Actively uphold IAP’s Ethical Rules &Guidelines when practices that contravene it become evident.
03. IN RELATIONSHIP WITH STUDENTS, SCHOLARS, AND OTHER:
- Understand and protect the civil and human rights of all individuals.
- Not discriminate with regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, age, political opinion, immigration status, or disability.
- Recognize their own cultural and value orientations and be aware of how those orientations affect their interactions with people from other cultures.
- Demonstrate awareness of, sensitivity to, and respect for other education and practice systems, values, beliefs, and cultures.
- Not exploit, threaten, coerce, or sexually harass others.
- Not use one’s position to proselytize.
- Refrain from invoking governmental or institutional regulations in order to intimidate patients in matters not related to their status.
- Maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and security of patients’ records and of all communications with treatment program, Members shall secure permission of the individuals before sharing information with others inside or outside the organization, unless disclosure is authorized by law or institutional policy or is mandated by previous arrangement.
- Respond to inquiries fairly, equitably, and professionally.
- Provide accurate, complete, current, and unbiased information.
- Refrain from becoming involved in personal relationships with patients when such relationships might result in either the appearance or the fact of undue influence being exercised on the making of professional judgments.
- Accept only gifts that are of nominal value and that do not seem intended to influence professional decisions, while remaining sensitive to the varying significance and implications of gifts in different cultures.
- Identify and provide appropriate referrals for patients who experience unusual levels of emotional difficulty.
- Provide information, orientation, and support services needed to facilitate patient’s adaptation to a new education and practice and cultural environment.
04. IN PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
- Show respect for the diversity of viewpoints among colleagues, just as they show respect for the diversity of viewpoints among their clients.
- Refrain from unjustified or unseemly criticism of fellow members, other programs and other organizations.
- Use their office, title, and professional associations only for the conduct of official business.
- Uphold agreements when participating in joint activities and give due credit to collaborators for their contributions.
- Carry out, in a timely and professional manner, any IAP responsibilities they agree to accept.
05. IN ADMINISTERING PROGRAMS:
- Clearly and accurately represent the identity of the organization and the goals, capabilities, and costs of programs.
- Recruit individuals, paid and unpaid, who are qualified to offer the instruction or services promised, train and supervise them responsibly, and ensure by means of regular evaluation that they are performing acceptably and that the overall program is meeting its professed goals.
- Encourage and support participation in professional development activities.
- Strive to establish standards, activities, instruction, and fee structures that are appropriate and responsive to patient’s needs.
- Provide appropriate orientation, materials, and on-going guidance for patients.
- Provide appropriate opportunities for students to observe and to join in mutual inquiry into cultural differences.
- Take appropriate steps to enhance the safety and security of patients.
- Strive to ensure that the practices of those with whom one contracts do conform to IAP’s Code of Ethics and the Principles for Physiotherapy Education and practice.
06. IN MAKING PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
- Clearly distinguish, in both written and oral public statements, between their personal opinions and those opinions representing IAP, their own institutions, or other organizations.
- Provide accurate, complete, current, and unbiased information.
Ethical Rules & Guidelines
01. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide honest, quality care as a first contact practitioner.
- Administer treatment in the best interest of the patient with sound judgment.
- Respect dignity and rights of patients and colleagues.
- Refer patients to specialists when required.
- Maintain confidentiality of patient information.
- Provide accurate information about treatment and condition.
- Take prior consent before risky procedures.
- Follow laws related to patient rights.
- Avoid unethical practices like fee splitting.
- Stay updated with latest scientific developments.
- Maintain dignity and honor of the profession.
- Contribute to community health development.
- Follow ethical practices and professional standards.
- Balance patient needs, laws, and institutional policies.
- Resist unethical pressures and personal gain.
- Seek guidance in ethical dilemmas.
02. PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION & DEVELOPMENT
- Represent qualifications accurately.
- Work within limits of expertise.
- Continue professional development.
- Stay updated with laws and regulations.
- Understand global developments and cultural differences.
- Follow ethical rules and guidelines strictly.
03. RELATIONSHIP WITH STUDENTS & OTHERS
- Respect human rights of all individuals.
- Avoid discrimination of any kind.
- Respect cultural diversity and beliefs.
- Avoid harassment or exploitation.
- Maintain confidentiality of records.
- Provide unbiased and accurate information.
- Avoid personal relationships affecting professional judgment.
- Accept only nominal gifts.
- Support patients emotionally and culturally.
04. PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
- Respect colleagues’ viewpoints.
- Avoid unnecessary criticism.
- Use position only for official work.
- Give proper credit to collaborators.
- Fulfill responsibilities professionally.
05. ADMINISTERING PROGRAMS
- Represent programs clearly and accurately.
- Hire qualified staff and evaluate performance.
- Support professional development.
- Ensure safety and security of patients.
- Maintain ethical standards in all practices.
06. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
- Differentiate personal and professional opinions.
- Provide accurate and unbiased information.