Self-evaluation of Ethical Competence in Senior Physiotherapy Practitioners – An Observational Study

Abstract

Abstract Background: The core aspect of a health-care professional’s expertise is their ethical competence. It is considered part of expertise. Methodology: A descriptive-qualitative study was conducted in the setting of private physiotherapy centers through a convenient sampling for 18 months. Over 170 physical therapists with more tha10 years of clinical experience participated in the study. Participants were given a printed form Self-modified Physiotherapist’s Ethical Competence Evaluation Tool, and results were prepared accordingly. Results: Out of 170 physiotherapists, majority of the therapists are ethically aware, though there is a small percentage of therapists who are not scoring well and need further education or further uplift in ethical practices and official ethical education in all ethical aspects. Conclusion: Around 70%–80% scored well, and a very small percentage needs an update in ethical education. The ethically effective practices provided by physiotherapists represent physiotherapists’ self-worth in these situations. A number of strategies can be applied to enhance the development of ethical competence, including moral contemplation, ethics groups, multidisciplinary ethics committees, ethics counseling, and ethics resources (such as online).