Policy statement: ethical principles and responsibilities of physical therapists and member organisations

This policy statement explains the ethical principles and responsibilities of physical therapists and member organisations addressing all aspects of professional conduct.

The World Confederation for 

Physical therapy —services for individuals and populations to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan. Physical therapy is described more comprehensively in WCPT’s Description of Physical Therapy.

The professional title and term used to describe the profession's practice varies and depends largely on the historical roots of the profession in each country. The most generally used titles and terms are 'physical therapy’, ‘physiotherapy' and ‘physical therapist’, ‘physiotherapist’.

View the full list of glossary terms

 (WCPT) expects its member organisations to:

• have a code of

  See Professional ethics

  See Research ethics

  or code of conduct.
• publish, promote and circulate their code of ethics or code of conduct for the benefit of their members, the general public, employers, governments and government agencies.
• ensure that the association, or relevant regularity body, has procedures for monitoring the practice of their members, handling complaints, along with appropriate disciplinary procedures and sanctions for members whose practice falls outside their code of ethics or code of conduct.