Ethical Guidelines & Professional Code of Conduct

Patient Rights, Professional Ethics & BPMA Ethical Standards (Ethics, Professional Responsibility & Code of Conduct)

Introduction

Professional ethics form the foundation of quality physiotherapy practice. Every physiotherapy professional has a responsibility to provide safe, ethical, patient-centred, and evidence-based care while maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and respect.

The Bhartiye Physiotherapy Medical Association (BPMA) encourages all its members to uphold professional ethics, respect patient rights, and continuously enhance their knowledge and clinical competence.

Core Ethical Principles

Every BPMA Member is expected to uphold the following principles:

1. 1 Patient Welfare (Beneficence): Place the patient's health, safety, dignity, and well-being as the highest priority.
2. 2 Do No Harm (Non-Maleficence): Avoid any action or treatment that may cause unnecessary harm or risk to the patient.
3. 3 Respect for Patient Autonomy: Provide patients with sufficient information to enable informed decision-making regarding their care.
4. 4 Confidentiality: Protect the privacy and confidentiality of all patient information in accordance with applicable laws and professional standards.
5. 5 Justice & Equality: Provide professional services fairly and without discrimination based on religion, gender, age, disability, socioeconomic status, or any other personal characteristic.
6. 6 Honesty & Integrity: Communicate honestly regarding diagnosis, treatment plans, expected outcomes, fees, and professional qualifications.

Patient Rights

Every patient has the right to:

• Receive respectful and dignified care.
• Receive treatment in a safe and hygienic environment.
• Be treated by a qualified physiotherapy professional.
• Receive appropriate information regarding assessment and treatment.
• Ask questions and participate in treatment decisions.
• Give or refuse informed consent.
• Expect confidentiality of personal and medical information.
• Express concerns or provide feedback regarding services received.

Professional Code of Conduct

BPMA Members should:

• Practice within their education, competence, and professional scope.
• Follow evidence-based physiotherapy practices.
• Maintain accurate patient records.
• Obtain informed consent before treatment.
• Respect fellow healthcare professionals.
• Avoid misleading advertisements or false professional claims.
• Maintain transparency and professionalism in all communications.
• Participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Uphold the dignity and reputation of the physiotherapy profession.

Professional Responsibilities

Every physiotherapy professional should:

• Continuously update professional knowledge and clinical skills.
• Maintain ethical behaviour in clinical and academic practice.
• Promote patient safety and quality care.
• Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration when appropriate.
• Respect applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards.

BPMA Ethics & Professional Standards Committee

BPMA has established an Ethics & Professional Standards Committee to:

• Promote ethical awareness among members.
• Encourage professional responsibility.
• Provide guidance on ethical practice.
• Support continuing professional development.
• Promote high standards of professional conduct within the Association.

Professional Values Promoted by BPMA

BPMA encourages every member to uphold:

• Professional Integrity
• Patient-Centred Care
• Ethical Clinical Practice
• Accountability
• Respect & Compassion
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Lifelong Learning
• Professional Excellence