Engaging the professional community: rewriting a code of ethics for NZ physiotherapists

Abstract

Background: This article describes the process of rewriting the code of ethics for New Zealand physical therapists. There was concern that the previous code was no longer fit for purpose, due to confusing terminology, inconsistencies about the level of detail, and the development of new ethical concerns in clinical practice. To ensure that the code is relevant to today's clinicians, an appropriate methodology was utilized to ascertain their views. Objectives: To achieve a code that is grounded in the clinical ethical concerns of clinicians, and which expresses the professional values of the group. Findings: New Zealand physical therapists identified a range of ethical concerns that could be grouped into five themes: resource issues, clinical relationships, safety competency and accountability, support for physical therapists, and student specific issues. This paper reports on how the five themes arose through comments from participants in the research process. Conclusion: Through the process of engaging with clinicians, a code was written that reflects and provides guidance on identified ethical concerns. It is envisaged that a code that embodies concepts appropriate and compatible with the ethos of the group will result in wider acceptance of the final document.

Professional Values: Results of a Scoping Review and Preliminary Canadian Survey

“…Of these articles, 10 included explicit values. 12,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] From these articles, 66 value-related terms were extracted and compiled into a list. After discussion among the three re searchers, 12 values remained.…”