Definition Of Professionalism

The definition of professionalism defined by the American Physical Therapy Association states: “Physical therapists consistently demonstrate core values by aspiring to and wisely applying principles of altruism, excellence, caring, ethics, respect, communication, and accountability, and by working together with other professionals to achieve optimal health and wellness in individuals and communities.” The most relatable principles from the American Physical Therapy Association’s definition are communication, accountability, and altruism. Communication. Accountability is being responsible for the many roles, obligations, and actions involved with a being a physical therapist. Altruism is the devotion to the interests of patients and clients

As a student in a doctor of physical therapist degree program, you will need to be an effective communicator with faculty, clinicians, peers, and eventually patients. While serving as the Vice-President of Alumni and Faculty Relations for the University of Alabama Dance Marathon, I had to further develop my communication skills with others. Keeping in contact with my director and the other committees to ensure that everything was being handled throughout the year helped to better my skills at communication. Being able to communicate with others is skill that is ever so valuable and being able to practice it throughout my undergraduate years is very beneficial. Developing my skills as a communicator will help me throughout my daily life, as well as my

Altruism to me means that you feel the need to help other without the need of a type of reward. As a physical therapist, you are being paid to work, but you are also helping others for their sake, not yours. During my senior of college, I was required to create and perform workout programs with Crossing Points students, which are college students that have intellectual disabilities. While working with my student, I always had to keep their needs ahead of my own and putting my personal needs on the back burner. Throughout the semester I had to make lesson plans and while making them, I had to consider what physical activities they needed to benefit them instead of thinking of just activities that I wanted to do. Focusing on altruism was most important when working out, because I always had to remember to think of their needs such as needing a water break or just a moment to breath. As a potential future, physical therapist, I will constantly use altruism and thanks to having to work with my student one on one, I have experience with this