4
Last Updated: 9/20/19
Contact: nationalgovernance@apta.org
CORE VALUES for the PHYSICAL THERAPIST and PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT HOD P06‐19‐48‐55
[Amended: HOD P06-18-25-33; Initial HOD P05-07-19-19;] [Previously Titled: Core Values: for the Physical
Therapist] [Position]
The core values guide the behaviors of physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) to
provide the highest quality of physical therapist services. These values imbue the scope of PT and PTA activities.
The core values retain the PT as the person ultimately responsible for providing safe, accessible, cost-effective,
and evidence-based services; and the PTA as the only individual who assists the PT in practice, working under
the direction and supervision of the PT. The core values are defined as follows:
• Accountability
Accountability is active acceptance of the responsibility for the diverse roles, obligations, and actions of the
physical therapist and physical therapist assistant including self-regulation and other behaviors that
positively influence patient and client outcomes, the profession, and the health needs of society.
• Altruism
Altruism is the primary regard for or devotion to the interest of patients and clients, thus assuming the
responsibility of placing the needs of patients and clients ahead of the physical therapist’s or physical
therapist assistant’s self-interest.
• Collaboration
Collaboration is working together with patients and clients, families, communities, and professionals in
health and other fields to achieve shared goals. Collaboration within the physical therapist-physical therapist
assistant team is working together, within each partner’s respective role, to achieve optimal physical
therapist services and outcomes for patients and clients.
• Compassion and Caring
Compassion is the desire to identify with or sense something of another’s experience; a precursor of caring.
Caring is the concern, empathy, and consideration for the needs and values of others.
• Duty
Duty is the commitment to meeting one’s obligations to provide effective physical therapist services to
patients and clients, to serve the profession, and to positively influence the health of society.
• Excellence
Excellence in the provision of physical therapist services occurs when the physical therapist and physical
therapist assistant consistently use current knowledge and skills while understanding personal limits,
integrate the patient or client perspective, embrace advancement, and challenge mediocrity.
• Integrity
Integrity is steadfast adherence to high ethical principles or standards, being truthful, ensuring fairness,
following through on commitments, and verbalizing to others the rationale for actions.
• Social Responsibility
Social responsibility is the promotion of a mutual trust between the profession and the larger public that
necessitates responding to societal needs for health and wellness.
Explanation of Reference Numbers:
HOD P00-00-00-00 stands for House of Delegates/month/year/page/vote in the House of Delegates minutes; the "P" indicates that it is a position (see below). For example, HOD P06-17-05-04 means that this position
canbe found in the June 2017 House of Delegates minutes on Page 5 and that it was Vote 4.
P: Position | S: Standard | G: Guideline | Y: Policy | R: Procedure