Following the Social Contract of Physical Therapy Services

Does our current healthcare structure effectively meet the physical therapy needs for all? Are some patients unable to receive the care they need due to financial limitations or geographic locations? Are physical therapy services readily available to all?

These are just a few questions, Gail M. Jensen PhD, PT, FAPAT encourages therapy professionals to ponder. Last year she gave the McMillan lecture at the 2011 APTA annual meeting and presented on the topic of societal health needs at the 2011 APTA Combined Sections Meetings held in New Orleans in February.

Jensen isn’t the only one calling for greater social responsibility. The Vatican also recently weighed in on the need for businesses to embrace social responsibility. According to the Catholic Review, the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said at the recent Executive Summit on Ethics for the Business World that there is no way businesses can remain ethically neutral, and this includes physical therapy services as well. He called for business leaders to see their work as a part of a social contract with society.

To meet the ever-changing landscape of societal health needs, Jensen defined three areas of focus:

1. To follow the APTA code of ethics with emphasis on the principle of respecting the inherent dignity and rights of all individuals. Respect, compassion and integrity are at the foundation of this principle. General guidelines provided by the APTA states physical therapists should treat individuals with respect regardless of age, ethnic background social or economic standing, health condition or disability. 
    
2. The need to adhere to a social contract that strives to meet health needs locally, nationally and globally. She encourages physical therapists to take the time to meet the needs of economically disadvantaged individuals and work to reduce health disparities. Several physical therapists have taken this effort to heart with their work at free therapy clinics across the United States or by volunteering their time and expertise in developing countries like Haiti.
    
3. Social responsibility. Jensen encourages physical therapists to remember that health is more than just health care. Where a patient lives, his job and living conditions can override the importance of seeking proper health care. Social responsibility takes a look at changing health conditions in addition to providing health care. She encourages physical therapists to be empathetic and understand where the patient is coming from and how physical therapy services can help influence health conditions in the community.

To learn more about the physical therapy social contract listen to a full podcast with Gail M. Jensen PhD, PT, FAPAT at PTTalker.com.

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