How does documentation relate to the ethical principles guiding physical therapists?
Answer
Comprehensive documentation is essential for upholding several core ethical principles in physical therapy practice. Principles like providing truthful and accurate information (4A), ensuring appropriate reimbursement (7B), and accurately reflecting services provided (7E) are directly tied to thorough, defensible documentation. Ethical documentation demonstrates medical necessity, justifies skilled care needs, and facilitates appropriate billing - ultimately advocating for patients to receive the required care.
Trisha Salome, PT, DPT, is currently a Service Line Director for Penn Highlands Healthcare in Pennsylvania. Dr. Salome earned her doctorate in physical therapy from Saint Francis University, where she also received her Bachelor of Science in health sciences. She has spent her entire career working for nonprofits with notable works in pediatrics, home health, hospice, leadership development, clinical documentation, community programs, and operational efficiency. Previously she has represented her profession in elected and appointed positions in the APTA and has presented Hospice education nationally at CSM and with PhysicalTherapy.com.
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/documentation-opportunity-to-advocate-for-4858Documentation: An Opportunity to Advocate for Your PatientThis course addresses the rationale behind having top-notch documentation and provides education on making your documentation a tool to advocate for your patients. The course covers ethics of documentation, goal writing, and measuring progress in difficult situations such as palliative care or maintenance therapy.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyPhysicalTherapy.comwww.physicaltherapy.comDocumentation: An Opportunity to Advocate for Your PatientThis course addresses the rationale behind having top-notch documentation and provides education on making your documentation a tool to advocate for your patients. The course covers ethics of documentation, goal writing, and measuring progress in difficult situations such as palliative care or maintenance therapy.4858OnlinePT120M
This course addresses the rationale behind having top-notch documentation and provides education on making your documentation a tool to advocate for your patients. The course covers ethics of documentation, goal writing, and measuring progress in difficult situations such as palliative care or maintenance therapy.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/hospice-101-4731Hospice 101This introduction to hospice and end of life care for physical therapists covers the hospice benefit. Emphasis is placed on the role of physical therapists in hospice and how physical therapy can obtain a "seat at the table" with patients on hospice care.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyPhysicalTherapy.comwww.physicaltherapy.comHospice 101This introduction to hospice and end of life care for physical therapists covers the hospice benefit. Emphasis is placed on the role of physical therapists in hospice and how physical therapy can obtain a "seat at the table" with patients on hospice care.4731OnlinePT120M
This introduction to hospice and end of life care for physical therapists covers the hospice benefit. Emphasis is placed on the role of physical therapists in hospice and how physical therapy can obtain a "seat at the table" with patients on hospice care.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/mindfulness-beyond-guided-meditation-3902Mindfulness: Beyond Guided MeditationMindfulness can be a really powerful cognitive-behavioral tool and has many relevant applications when treating patients with pain, especially chronic pain. Many courses for rehabilitation professionals teach guided meditation, which is an amazing tool. However, mindfulness has many other applications and opportunities for use in the treatment of patients with pain. This session discusses the history and science behind mindfulness, as well as provides a variety of practical mindfulness tools for the everyday practitioner. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyPhysicalTherapy.comwww.physicaltherapy.comMindfulness: Beyond Guided MeditationMindfulness can be a really powerful cognitive-behavioral tool and has many relevant applications when treating patients with pain, especially chronic pain. Many courses for rehabilitation professionals teach guided meditation, which is an amazing tool. However, mindfulness has many other applications and opportunities for use in the treatment of patients with pain. This session discusses the history and science behind mindfulness, as well as provides a variety of practical mindfulness tools for the everyday practitioner. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.3902OnlinePT120M
Mindfulness can be a really powerful cognitive-behavioral tool and has many relevant applications when treating patients with pain, especially chronic pain. Many courses for rehabilitation professionals teach guided meditation, which is an amazing tool. However, mindfulness has many other applications and opportunities for use in the treatment of patients with pain. This session discusses the history and science behind mindfulness, as well as provides a variety of practical mindfulness tools for the everyday practitioner. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/diabetes-in-adults-current-guidelines-3958Diabetes in Adults: Current Guidelines and EvidenceThis course gives us an overview of diabetes in adults, discusses current perspectives and guidelines, and addresses its significance in PT practice. It also looks at some of the current literature that addresses the evidence for risk factors and interventions and to see how they may apply to our practices. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyPhysicalTherapy.comwww.physicaltherapy.comDiabetes in Adults: Current Guidelines and EvidenceThis course gives us an overview of diabetes in adults, discusses current perspectives and guidelines, and addresses its significance in PT practice. It also looks at some of the current literature that addresses the evidence for risk factors and interventions and to see how they may apply to our practices. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.3958OnlinePT120M
'I work in a hospital that sees many diabetic patients who end up with amputations or infections that may lead to amputations in the future so this was great info to be able to educate my patients about'Read Reviews
This course gives us an overview of diabetes in adults, discusses current perspectives and guidelines, and addresses its significance in PT practice. It also looks at some of the current literature that addresses the evidence for risk factors and interventions and to see how they may apply to our practices. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/maximizing-patient-engagement-through-science-4595Maximizing Patient Engagement Through the Science of Behavioral EconomicsLearn the evidence and the application of mastering your soft skills to optimize the patient experience and patient engagement. Be ready to improve in every aspect of patient care from the interview, diagnosis, education, intervention, and home exercise prescription.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyPhysicalTherapy.comwww.physicaltherapy.comMaximizing Patient Engagement Through the Science of Behavioral EconomicsLearn the evidence and the application of mastering your soft skills to optimize the patient experience and patient engagement. Be ready to improve in every aspect of patient care from the interview, diagnosis, education, intervention, and home exercise prescription.4595OnlinePT180M
'This is the basics of communication and we/patients get to decide what is the best for them, instead of being bossy or inattentive to their beliefs and needs'Read Reviews
Learn the evidence and the application of mastering your soft skills to optimize the patient experience and patient engagement. Be ready to improve in every aspect of patient care from the interview, diagnosis, education, intervention, and home exercise prescription.
