Beyond Rules, Toward Professional Integrity

In today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, clinical expertise alone is no longer enough to navigate the complexities of modern practice. This online beginner-level course is designed specifically for PTs, OTs, and their assistants to bridge the gap between technical skill and the moral integrity required for leadership. By grounding your practice in the most current standards including the APTA updated Code of Ethics (effective 2026) and the AOTA Code of Ethics, the clinician will gain a deep understanding of the nine ethical commitments and the foundational pillars of Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-maleficence, and Justice. These core principles ensure that patient rights, informed consent, and equitable care remain at the forefront of every clinical decision you make, providing you with a clear roadmap for professional excellence.

Beyond simple compliance, this curriculum provides a robust toolkit for handling the gray areas of practice, such as productivity pressures, billing integrity, and complex supervision. You will move beyond intuition by mastering the RIPS model for structured decision-making and exploring the five primary ethical frameworks Utilitarian, Rights-based, Virtue, Common Good, and Justice/Fairness. Furthermore, the course emphasizes personal well-being by helping the clinician identify implicit biases and the early signs of professional burnout. Ultimately, you will emerge with a strengthened ethical compass and the duty of Veracity and Fidelity, equipped to mitigate moral distress and act as a courageous advocate for your patients in a demanding regulatory environment.