PT 724 Clinical Skills III: Therapeutic Exercise and Physical Agents

This course examines current issues and trends in the law and ethics of physical therapy, and physical therapy clinical management.  Specific topics include:  (1) health care malpractice, business, contract, criminal, and education law concepts and cases; (2) informed consent; and (3) APTA ethics and state practice act mandates.  This course also provides a comprehensive overview of physical therapy ethics.  Students must distinguish moral, ethical and legal duties in practice, analyze the APTA's core values, Code of Ethics and Guide for Professional Conduct and state licensing board ethical standards.  The four foundational biomedical ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy and justice are examined and applied to practice.  This course will serve as an introduction to the Interprofessional Healthcare series of courses.