CODE OF ETHICAL CONDUCT

This code applies to registered physiotherapists1 in Canada.

PURPOSE HOW TO USE THE CODE OF CONDUCT

A code of ethical conduct sets out the ethical principles The Code does not tell practitioners exactly how to
governing the conduct of members of the act in every situation, rather it provides a
physiotherapy profession in Canada. It is a moral benchmark against which to measure ethical
anchor that assures clients2, the public, and other decisions in every-day practice and in highly
health care providers that members of the profession complex situations. In every situation, however, it is
strive for the highest standards of ethical conduct. The the duty of members of the profession to act in an
code must reflect the societal ethics of the time, as ethically responsible manner, using the principles of
well as the value systems and moral principles of the the Code to guide ethical conduct. As ethical
physiotherapy profession in Canada. The Code of decision-making is often an interdisciplinary issue,
Ethical Conduct applies to members of the practitioners are encouraged to seek additional
physiotherapy profession in all contexts of practice and advice or consultation when ethical decisions are
through all stages of their careers. It must always be unclear. Members of the physiotherapy profession
used in conjunction with relevant federal and provincial should be able to articulate their rationale for all
legislation and with regulations, policies, procedures, ethical decisions and should take responsibility for
and standards that regulate professional practice. their decision-making and actions.

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND PROFESSIONAL VALUES

Ethical principles form the foundation of ethical conduct and provide guidance along the pathway to ethical
decision-making. While there are several approaches to ethical principles, this document uses the classical
ethical principles described below as a basic guide to ethical conduct. Emphasis is on the pursuit of
excellence in all professional activities, as well as the ability to act with integrity, accountability and good
judgment in the best interests of the client, the public, the individual (self) and the profession.

Respect for Autonomy states that people should be allowed to make decisions that
apply to their lives and to have control over their lives as much as possible. Autonomy
requires a physiotherapist to respect a client’s freedom to decide for themselves and
includes obtaining informed consent.

Beneficence guides the practitioner to do what is good with respect to the welfare of
the client. In physiotherapy practice, the physiotherapist should provide benefit to the
client’s health.

Least Harm deals with situations in which none of the choices available are judged to be
the best. In this case, a practitioner should choose to do the least harm possible and to do
harm to the fewest people. For physiotherapists this may mean recommending an
intervention that is the best of two alternatives even though both alternatives may have
negative side effects.

Justice requires that the actions chosen are objective and equitable to those involved.
An ethical decision that relates to justice has a consistent logical basis that supports the
decision. For physiotherapists, justice relates to treating people fairly and to allocating
resources fairly between clients.

In addition to the ethical principles, there are several professional values that help to support ethical
conduct in the profession - these are the values that underpin and motivate a member of the physiotherapy
profession’s efforts every day and inspire all of their actions. The key values include responsibility,
excellence, trustworthiness, honesty, integrity, professionalism, citizenship, respect, dignity, communication,
collaboration, advocacy, transparency, and well-being.

The ethical responsibilities below are described under three headings: those that apply to the client; those
that apply to the public; and those that apply to the individual practitioner (self) and the profession. Ethical
responsibilities are intended to serve as a guide to ethical conduct. They will not all apply all of the time nor
in all situations, but they should serve as a reference to guide to sound ethical conduct and to help to
prevent unethical behaviours and choices.

A. RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE CLIENT B. RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PUBLIC

Members of the physiotherapy profession have an Members of the physiotherapy profession have an
ethical responsibility to: ethical responsibility to:

1. Demonstrate sensitivity toward individual 1. Conduct and present themselves with integrity
clients, respecting and taking into and professionalism.
consideration their unique rights, needs,
beliefs, values, culture, goals, and 2. Respect diversity and provide care that is both
environmental context. culturally sensitive and appropriate.

2. Act in a respectful manner and do not refuse 3. Advocate within their capacity and context to
care or treatment to any client on the address clients’ needs and the broad
prohibited grounds of discrimination as determinants of health and to improve the
specified in the Canadian Human Rights standards of health care.
Act3 as well as on the grounds of social or
health status. 4. Work effectively within the health care system
and manage resources responsibly.
3. Work in partnership with clients to improve,
support and/or sustain their health status and 5. Act transparently and with integrity in all
well-being. professional and business practices including
fees and billing; advertising of professional
4. Maintain professional boundaries that honour services; and real and/or perceived conflicts
and respect the therapeutic relationship with of interest.
clients.
6. Assess the quality and impact of their
5. Communicate openly, honestly and services regularly.
respectfully with clients at all times.
7. Be professionally and morally responsible for
6. Respect the principles of informed consent addressing incompetent, unsafe, illegal, or
including by explaining service options, risks, unethical practice of any health care provider and
benefits, potential outcomes, possible legally responsible for reporting conduct that puts
consequences of refusing treatment or the client at risk to the appropriate authority/ies.
services, and by avoiding coercion.
8. Take responsibility for their own physical and
7. Treat clients only when the diagnosis or mental health and refrain from practicing
continuation of the intervention warrants physiotherapy while their ability to provide
treatment and is not contraindicated. appropriate and competent care is compromised.

8. Respect and support the autonomy of the

client to participate in the management and C. RESPONSIBILITIES TO SELF AND
decision-making relating to their own health. THE PROFESSION
9. Provide an alternative treatment option Members of the physiotherapy profession have an
through referral to another health care ethical responsibility to:
provider/physiotherapist if the therapeutic
relationship is compromised. 1. Commit to maintaining and enhancing the
reputation and standing of the physiotherapy
10. Respect the confidentiality, privacy, and profession, and to inspiring public trust and
security of client information in all forms of confidence by treating everyone with dignity and
communication. respect in all interactions.

11. Use electronic communication and social 2. Commit to lifelong learning and excellence
media and other forms of digital technology in practice.
professionally and respectfully, conforming to
confidentiality guidelines. 3. Act honestly, transparently and with integrity in
all professional and business practices to
12. Practice in a safe, competent, accountable uphold the reputation of the profession.
and responsible manner during the provision
of services. 4. Recognize the responsibility to share
evidence-informed and clinical best practices in
13. Take all reasonable steps to prevent harm to physiotherapy with each other and other health
clients. Should harm occur disclose it to the care professionals.
client and others as required.
5. Contribute to the development of the profession
14. Take responsibility for the client care through support of research, mentoring, and
delegated to students and other members of student supervision.
the health care team.
6. Refrain from harassment, abuse or
15. Practice the profession of physiotherapy discrimination of colleagues, employees, or
according to their own competence and students.
limitations, referring the client to others
as necessary. 7. Attend to their own health and well-being.

16. Practice collaboratively with colleagues, other 1

The terms physical therapy/physiotherapy and physical therapist/physiotherapist
health professionals and agencies for the are considered synonymous and can be used interchangeably. For the purposes of
this document the term physiotherapy will be used.
benefit of clients. 2
Client refers to a patient, their substitute decision-maker, “family group, community
or organization receiving professional services, products or information.” Adapted
from National Physiotherapy Advisory Group. (2009). Essential Competency Profile
17. Enhance their expertise through lifelong for Physiotherapists in Canada. Available at:
http://www.physiotherapyeducation.ca/Resources/Essential%20Comp%20PT%20Pr
acquisition and refinement of knowledge, ofile%202009.pdf.

skills, abilities and professional behaviours. Canadian Human Rights Act (2012). Prohibited grounds of discrimination: For all
3

purposes of this Act, the prohibited grounds of discrimination are race, national or
ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family
status, disability and conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted
18. Comply with all legislation, guidelines, and or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered. Available at:
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/h-6/page-1.html#h-1
regulatory requirements that pertain to the
profession of physiotherapy.