Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/12567
Title: Exploring the Professional Values of Australian Physiotherapists
Contributor(s): Aguilar, Alejandra E (author); Stupans, Ieva  (author); Scutter, Sheila (author); King, Sharron (author)
Publication Date: 2013
DOI: 10.1002/pri.1525
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/12567
Abstract: Background and Purpose: A profession's values guide daily practice and professional behaviours. They clarify what professionalism means to a profession, by providing insight into the values that members of the profession aim to uphold and profess. There has been limited research into the values of the Australian physiotherapy profession, and as such, the values that guide practice and constitute professionalism are not explicit. This study aimed to make a preliminary identification of the values of the profession, by exploring the shared professional values of 14 Australian physiotherapists. Methods: This study was guided by a qualitative approach and constructivist paradigm. Purposive sampling was employed to identify physiotherapists who could contribute rich information to the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using an inductive data analysis method. Results: The emerging professional values formed three main themes. The first theme, 'the patient and the patient-therapist partnership', incorporated values such as having patient trust and working collaboratively with patients. The theme labelled 'physiotherapy knowledge, skills and practice' included the values of having an evidence base and respecting professional boundaries. The last theme, 'altruistic values', was inclusive of values such as honesty, empathy and caring. The values that emerged went beyond philanthropic values, to values that guided every day practice, professional relationships and the responsibilities of being a professional. Conclusion: The results contribute to research orientated towards identifying the values of the profession and in doing so, clarifying what professionalism means to the Australian physiotherapy profession. Differences between the values identified by the American Physical Therapy Association and the study reported in this paper highlight the importance of identifying the values of the profession within the Australian context. In terms of practice implications, physiotherapists may be prompted to reflect on their values and how these values align with those of their patients.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Physiotherapy Research International, 18(1), p. 27-36
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Place of Publication: United Kingdom
ISSN: 1471-2865
1358-2267
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 119999 Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 329999 Other biomedical and clinical sciences not elsewhere classified
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 929999 Health not elsewhere classified
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 200201 Determinants of health
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Science and Technology

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