APTA Learning Center

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Professionalism and Ethics in Physical Therapy: Advanced Series

  • Register
    • Non-Member - $50
    • PT Member - $25
    • PTA Member - $25
    • Student - Free!
    • Post-Professional Student - $25
    • Staff - Free!

Dive into advanced learning with this two-part series, featuring the final two courses in our Professionalism and Ethics in Physical Therapy: 4-Part Course Series.

Enhance your expertise with specialized courses tailored for various roles, including faculty, Directors of Clinical Education (DCE), Site Coordinators of Clinical Education (SCCE), Clinical Instructors (CI), residents, fellows, and clinicians. Explore ethical practices in settings like acute care, pediatrics, orthopaedics, sports, and neurology. Courses are led by expert speakers with extensive experience and research backgrounds. 

Key Features:

  • Purchase Information: Free for students, $25 for members/post-professional members, and $50 for non-members.
  • Learning Formats: Course 3 is asynchronous; Course 4 includes live sessions.
  • Release Dates: Course 3 on February 5; Course 4 live sessions on February 5 and 6.
  • Target Audience: Faculty, clinicians, residents, fellows, and clinical instructors.

Course Details:

Prerequisites: Module 1 and Module 2 - Releases January 13

Course 3: Personalized Learning Paths (0.4 CEUs) – Releases February 5

  • Key topics: Ethical dilemmas for DCEs, SCCEs, CIs, and clinicians, with case-based examples.

Course 4: Adapting Ethical Practices (0.4 CEUs) – Releases February 5 and 6

  • Key topics: Ethical dilemmas in orthopedic, acute care, pediatric, and neurologic settings, with practical strategies.

Sarah Caston

PT, DPT

Dr. Sarah Caston, an Associate Professor at Emory University’s Division of Physical Therapy, integrates her clinical expertise with a profound commitment to ethical practices. Having completed a Master’s degree in Bioethics, she emphasizes the critical role of ethics in enhancing patient and clinician well-being.

Full Bio

Dr. Sarah Caston is physical therapist who is board- certified neurologic and geriatric PT.  She is an Associate Professor within  Emory University’s Division of Physical Therapy. Dr. Caston received her BS in Rehabilitation Science from University of Pittsburgh in 2008 and her DPT in 2011 from Emory University. She recently completed a Master’s degree in Bioethics and Emory’s Center for Ethics. Dr. Caston’s passion for ethics in physical therapy was cultivated as a clinician where she witnessed both the gifts and limitations of the biomedical approach to care, and grew at the intersections of humanism justice and a desire for greater flourishing for patients and clinicians.

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.

Sarah Luna

PT, DPT, PhD

Seth Kress

PT, DPT

Tara Pearce

Janet Readinger

PT, DPT

Dustin Willis

Jessica Marengo

PT, DPT

Babette Sanders

PT, DPT, MS

Magdalena Oledzka

PT, DPT, PhD, MBA

Rebecca Leonard

PT, DPT, PhD

Kristin Snarski

PT, PhD

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:

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Instructions
Agree to the instructions to continue.
Agree to the instructions to continue.
Prerequisites - Releases on January 13
Module 1: Ethical Theories Shaping Disability and Ableism
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. Module 1 will be released on January 13.
Module 2: The Evolution of Ethics in Physical Therapy: An Evidence Review
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. Module 2 will be released on January 13.
Course 3: Personalized Learning Paths for Faculty, DCEs, SCCEs, CIs, Residents, Fellows, and Clinicians - Releases on February 5
Option 1: Faculty Insights: Navigating Moral Distress and Ethical Challenges in Education
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. This course empowers faculty and educators to navigate moral distress in educational environments, focusing on the integration of professionalism and ethics in their teaching. Intended audience: Faculty members. (0.2 CEU/ 2 contact hours)
Option 1: Assessment
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
Option 2: Professionalism and Ethics in Clinical Education: A DCE's Perspective
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. This course provides Directors of Clinical Education (DCEs) with insights and strategies to enhance professionalism and ethics in clinical training environments. Intended audience: Directors of Clinical Education (DCEs). (0.2 CEU/ 2 contact hours)
Option 2: Assessment
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
Option 3: Professionalism and Ethics in Clinical Settings: A Practical Approach
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. This course equips clinicians with essential tools to effectively apply professionalism and ethics in clinical settings, fostering integrity and ethical decision-making in their practice. Intended audience: Site Coordinator of Clinical Education (SCCE), clinical instructors, clinicians, and those hoping to elevate their practice through additional training such as residency, fellowship, or other program. (0.2 CEU/ 2 contact hours)
Option 3: Assessment
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
Course 4: Adapting Ethical Practices in Varied Clinical Settings - Releases on February 5 and 6
Option 1: Professionalism and Ethics in Older Adult Considerations
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. Content of this course will release soon.
Option 1: Assessment
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
Option 2: Professionalism and Ethics in Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. This course addresses the ethical implications commonly experienced in orthopaedic and sports medicine physical therapy, offering practical approaches to ethical dilemmas using case examples.
Option 2: Assessment
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
Option 3: Professionalism and Ethical Practices in Acute Care Settings
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. This course explores the fast-paced environment of acute care and the ethical challenges that arise in critical situations. Practical strategies for ethical dilemmas will be discussed through real-world examples commonly experienced in acute care settings.
Option 3: Assessment
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
Option 4: Professionalism and Ethical Implications of Physical Impairments in Youth
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. Content of this course will release soon.
Option 4: Assessment
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
Option 5: Professionalism and Understanding Neurological Patients' Lived Experiences
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. Content of this course will release soon.
Option 5: Assessment
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
0 Question  |  1 attempt  |  0/0 points to pass
Evaluation and CEU Certificate
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 0.80 contact hours available  |  Certificate available
Up to 0.80 contact hours available  |  Certificate available