Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36721251›Full record

ArticleArchives of physiotherapy2023

Views of physiotherapists on factors that play a role in ethical decision-making: an international online survey study.

Andrea Sturm, Roswith Roth, Amanda Louise Ager

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Archives of physiotherapy, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Andrea SturmInteruniversity College for Health and Development Graz, Castle of Seggau, Seggauberg 1, A-8430, Leibnitz, Austria. Andrea.Sturm@Inter-Uni.net.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9777-2194
Roswith RothInteruniversity College for Health and Development Graz, Castle of Seggau, Seggauberg 1, A-8430, Leibnitz, Austria.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3955-2198
Amanda Louise AgerDoctoral School of Life Sciences and Medicine, Gent University, Campus UZ Gent, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B3, ingang 46, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5177-9494

Funding

Salzburger Landesregierung 20204-WISS/225/80-2018
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThere is a lack of knowledge about the ways physiotherapists around the world learn about professional code of ethics and ethical decision-making frameworks. The profession has a gap in the understanding about physiotherapists' views on factors that play a role in ethical decision-making and whether these views differ between World Physiotherapy regions.

methodsAn online survey study in English was conducted from October 2018 to October 2019. Participants included 559 physiotherapists located in 72 countries. The self-designed survey questionnaire contained 13 items asking about demographic information and means of learning about ethical codes and decision-making frameworks. A further 30 items were presented which included statements underpinned with individual, organisational, situational and societal factors influencing ethical decision-making. Participants were asked to express their level of agreement or disagreement using a 5-point-Likert-scale.

resultsParticipants' highest rated responses endorsed that the professional role of physiotherapists is linked to social expectations of ethical behaviour and that ethical decision-making requires more skills than simply following a code of ethics. A recognisable organisational ethical culture was rated as supporting good ethical decisions. Comparing responses by World Physiotherapy regions showed significant differences in factors such as culture, religion, emotions, organisational values, significant others, consequences of professional misconduct and professional obligations. Entry level education was not perceived to provide a solid base for ethical decision-making in every World Physiotherapy region. Participants reported multiple sources for learning about a professional code of ethics and ethical decision-making frameworks. What's more, the number of sources differed between World Physiotherapy regions.

conclusionsMultiple factors play a role in physiotherapists' ethical decision-making internationally. Physiotherapists' ethical knowledge is informed by, and acquired from, several learning sources, which differ in both quality and quantity amongst World Physiotherapy regions. Easily accessible knowledge and education about professional codes of ethics and ethical decision-making can foster continuing professional development for physiotherapists. The establishment of constructive ethical cultures in workplaces can improve ethical decision-making, and should acknowledge the influence of individual, organisational, situational and societal factors. The establishment of collaborative learning environments can support knowledge translation which acknowledges practice-based methods of knowing and learning.

Indexed as

Code of ethicsEthical decision-makingEthics educationFrameworkKnowledge translationPhysiotherapyWorld Physiotherapy regions

Identifiers

PMID36721251
PMCPMC9889242

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.