Name a common ethical principle in PT practice and describe how it guides patient interactions.

• A. Autonomy; obtain informed consent, respect patient choices.
• B. Beneficence; always perform the most beneficial therapy, even if patient declines.
• C. Nonmaleficence; avoid any risk, even if it prevents needed care.
• D. Justice; treat all patients identically regardless of context.

Answer: (B)

Respect for patient autonomy guides how therapists interact with patients by centering the individual’s right to make informed decisions about their care. In physical therapy, this means presenting clear information about proposed therapies, including benefits, risks, alternatives, and likely outcomes, so the patient can consent freely. It also means honoring the patient’s choices, even if they decline a preferred intervention or request a different plan, and working with them to adjust goals and options to fit their values and preferences. When a patient declines, the clinician should explore reasons, answer questions, provide alternatives, and document the discussion—all while continuing to offer support and shared decision making.

Beneficence, while important, is about promoting the patient’s good, but it cannot override a competent patient’s decisions. Nonmaleficence emphasizes avoiding harm, but in practice clinicians balance potential risks with potential benefits rather than insisting on every option. Justice focuses on fairness and equitable access, ensuring decisions consider context, resources, and individual needs rather than treating everyone identically in every situation. Autonomy directly governs how interactions with patients are conducted, making it the principle most aligned with typical PT patient encounters.