Physiotherapists are health professionals who work with people of all ages to maintain and promote health and to restore function and independence when individuals have disabilities or problems caused by physical, Physiological and other disorders.
They are educated in physical, human and health sciences and therapeutic use of physical means and agents such as exercise, manual techniques, cold, heat and electro-therapeutic modalities with the aim as activities of daily living independence which ensure functional independence to people with manifestations of physical disorders, disability, movement dysfunction congenital abnormalities, other bodily malfunctions, all conditions of pain, post traumatic and post operative rehabilitation etc.
Physiotherapy is an autonomous and independent profession whose practitioners work in an open and equal professional relationship with other health professionals. According to World Health Organisation, Physiotherapy is defined as systematic, assessment of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular,
neurological disorders of function, those of psychosomatic origin, including pain, dealing with physical agencies and manual therapy. Physiotherapists provide services in the private and public sectors in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, residential care facilities, clinics, schools and work settings. Independently or in multi-disciplinary teams, Physiotherapists assess patients and then plan and deliver treatment and education programmes in partnership with patients and their families.
They are involved in screening and prevention programmes, health education and research. They are often engaged as consultants to education, health and social agencies concerned with the delivery of health care. Physical therapists work within the ethical principles detailed in a code of ethics published by their professional organization.
Ethical principles
1. As the need for physical therapy is universal, the services of physical therapists shall therefore be unrestricted by considerations of nationality, race, creed, politics, colour, social status and sexual preference.
2. Physical therapists shall carry out with loyalty and skill any physical treatment, in responsible consultation with the registered medical or dental practitioner, which is aimed at restoring improving or maintaining the mental and physical fitness of the patient.
3. Physiotherapists shall respect the right and dignity of all individuals.
4. Physiotherapists shall be aware of the need for the prevention of disability and promotion of health within the community.
5. Physiotherapists shall maintain at all times the highest standards of knowledge and skill.
6. Physiotherapists shall provide honest, competent and accountable professional service.
7. Physiotherapists shall respect the culture and religious beliefs of their patients and associates.
8. Physiotherapists shall co-operate loyally with the physical therapy colleagues and with members of the allied health professions.
9. Physiotherapists shall hold in confidence all personal information entrusted to them and shall not discuss a patient’s affairs with other than those responsible for the patient’s care.
10. Physiotherapists shall not permit their names to be used in connection with advertisement of products or with any other form of self-advertisement, except expressly authorized by the code of ethics of their national association.
11. Physiotherapists are entitled to charge fees for their services, which shall be fair reflections of the cost of their profession.
12. Physiotherapists shall adhere at all times to standards of professional and personal ethics, which reflect credit on the profession. Physical therapists shall recognize that failure of a colleague to conform to the ethical principles of the profession as laid down by their national association is detrimental to the patient. They shall therefore, take such steps as may be laid down by their national association to report such conduct. Unethical conduct shall however never be reported in the presence of patients or associates.
13. Physiotherapists shall share responsibility with other citizens and members of other profession in meeting the needs of the public in matters of health.
