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Course 2: Ethical Decision-Making in Professional Practice

This course is part of the Professionalism and Ethics in Physical Therapy: 4-Part Course Series. It is designed to enhance the ethical decision-making skills of physical therapists.

  • Module 1: Navigating Core Documents: Code of Ethics and Essential Guidelines
    • Explore essential guidelines, including the Code of Ethics that underpins professional practice.
  • Module 2: Ethical Approaches: Frameworks for Effective Decision-Making
    • Explore key frameworks to enhance your decision-making when faced with ethical dilemmas.
  • Module 3: Ethical Decision-Making to Prevent Disciplinary Action
    • Understand best practices to maintain professionalism and avoid disciplinary action.

0.7 CEU / 7 contact hours

Becca Ditwiler

PT, DPT, PhD

Dr. Rebecca Edgeworth Ditwiler, an Associate Professor at the University of South Florida, is a board-certified orthopaedic specialist in physical therapy. With a PhD in Ethical Leadership, her research and teaching focus on ethics, professionalism, and leadership in the field. She also serves on the APTA Ethics and Judicial Committee.

Full Bio

 Rebecca Edgeworth Ditwiler, PT, DPT, PhD is an Associate Professor and board-certified orthopaedic specialist in physical therapy. She is a practicing physical therapist and educator in the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Dr. Ditwiler is DPT Curriculum Coordinator and oversees interprofessional education in that role.  Becca Ditwiler received her DPT from Washington University in St. Louis in 2011 and completed a BS in Movement Science from the University of Michigan. Becca also completed a PhD in Ethical Leadership with a focus in higher education. Her research focuses on ethics, professionalism, and leadership. Dr. Ditwiler has also participated in clinical research and clinical service throughout her career.  She currently serves on the APTA Ethics and Judicial Committee and is an active member of the Florida Physical Therapy Association. She is part of USF’s Academy of Distinguished Educators.

Bernardine Evans

PT, DPT

Bernardine Spaulding Evans (She/Her/Hers) is a dedicated Clinical Assistant Professor at Howard University with over 30 years of experience in treating neurological disorders. She has served on the Board of Physical Therapy in DC for the past eight years, is a board member of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), and the Vice Chair of the PT Compact's Education and Outreach Committee.

Full Bio

Bernardine Spaulding Evans (She/Her/Hers) is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Howard University in Washington, DC. She began her academic career at Montgomery College's PTA program, teaching neuro-techniques for six years before joining Howard University's DPT program. She later became the Program Director of the physical therapy department and now teaches in the Department of Radiation Therapy.

Dr. Evans chairs the licensing Board of Physical Therapy in the District of Columbia and serves on the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. She is also Vice Chair of the PT Compact's Education and Outreach Committee and has chaired its compliance committee. At Howard University, she is a member of the College Grievance committee and an alternate delegate for the Faculty Senate.

With over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Evans specializes in treating Traumatic Brain Injury and progressive brain disorders. She is a Board-Certified Specialist in Geriatrics and a published researcher in Geriatric Neurology. Her current research focuses on comparative anatomy and oncology. Dr. Evans has spoken at the FSBPT's annual education conference and the NICHD Eunice Kennedy Shriver international conference at NIH.

She also coordinates and serves on the board of Howard University’s Pro Bono Clinic, providing outreach primarily for Spanish-speaking populations in the District of Columbia.

Course Instructions

  1. Click on the Contents tab to watch the course recording.
  2. Click the Take Quiz button to complete the assessment. Learners will have 3 attempts to pass and must answer at least 70% of questions correctly.
  3. Click Fill Out Survey under the Evaluation listing to provide valuable course feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window.
  4. Click the View/Print Your Certificate button under the Certificate listing. You can view/print your certificate at any time by visiting the APTA Learning Center and clicking the CEU Certificate/Transcript link on the left-hand side of the page. 

Need Assistance?

For assistance logging in, accessing activities, claiming credit, or for other questions or concerns, please e-mail learningcenter@apta.org. 

Key:

Complete
Failed
Available
Locked
Module 1: Navigating Core Documents: Code of Ethics and Essential Guidelines
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. Discovery key documents that inform ethical practices in physical therapy.
Module 1: Assessment
10 Questions  |  3 attempts  |  7/10 points to pass
10 Questions  |  3 attempts  |  7/10 points to pass Please complete the Assessment with a score of 70% or better. You have three attempts to obtain a passing score.
Module 2: Ethical Approaches: Frameworks for Effective Decision-Making
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. Explore various ethical approaches to enhance clinical decision-making.
Module 2: Assessment
10 Questions  |  3 attempts  |  7/10 points to pass
10 Questions  |  3 attempts  |  7/10 points to pass Please complete the Assessment with a score of 70% or better. You have three attempts to obtain a passing score.
Module 3: Ethical Decision-Making to Prevent Disciplinary Action
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. Discovery practices for ethical decision-making to avoid disciplinary actions against your license.
Module 3: Assessment
10 Questions  |  3 attempts  |  7/10 points to pass
10 Questions  |  3 attempts  |  7/10 points to pass Please complete the Assessment with a score of 70% or better. You have three attempts to obtain a passing score.
Evaluation
19 Questions
19 Questions Your comments are important to us! Please submit your feedback about the course through this evaluation.
CEU Certificate
Up to 0.70 contact hours available  |  Certificate available
Up to 0.70 contact hours available  |  Certificate available