Ethicists Regina Doherty, OT, OTD, and Ruth Purtilo, PT, PhD, FAPTA, assert that health care professions are moral communities because they are a subgroup of society with a "professional morality [that] embraces moral values, duty, and character traits that do not apply equally or at all to others in society (Doherty, 2016)." Similarly, ethicist Laura Lee "Dolly" Swisher, PT, PhD, FAPTA, points out that there are no easy answers for the "wicked" ethical problems facing our profession and joins Purtilo in advocating for our professional moral community to be proactive in partnering with society (Swisher, 2022).
By using this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. To find out more visit our privacy policy.
Ethics in Practice: Physical Therapy as a Moral Community
Building moral communities in the profession takes collaboration, leadership, and persistence.
Date: February 1, 2025
Contact: aptamag@apta.org
Content Type: Column
Rebecca Ditwiler, PT, DPT, PhD, Debra Gorman-Badar PT, PhD, Nicholas Weber PT, DPT, and Gail Jensen PT, PhD, FAPTA
You Might Also Like...
Feature
Physical Therapy's Role in Hospital at HomeJul 1, 2025
Hospital-level care is moving into patients’ homes — and PTs are helping lead the way in this evolving model.
Feature
Beyond Borders: US Physical Therapists Working OverseasJul 1, 2025
How U.S.-trained PTs are helping to transform global health and the role of physical therapy therein.
Column
Defining Moment | Conquering Imposter SyndromeJul 1, 2025
How one early experience of belonging at APTA CSM helped a young PT overcome imposter syndrome and dedicate his career to service.