Ethical Challenges in Current Physical Therapy Practice: Identification and Moral Resolution

This intermediate level course meets the 2.5 hours of required ethics instruction.  In a virtual format, participants will revisit foundational ethics concepts such as the four principles, ethics-related core values, moral decision-making, and the social contract for physical therapy practitioners.  Interactive polling of participants and/or Zoom break-out rooms may be used to enhance group discussion and interaction.

About the Speaker

Lee Ann Guenther, PT, DPT, MS

Lee Ann Guenther, PT, DPT, MS has been a NJ licensed physical therapist since she earned an entry-level degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She has practiced in a variety of clinical settings including acute rehabilitation, acute care, home care, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics. For more than a decade, her primary practice has been the provision of pediatric physical therapy services.

Dr. Guenther was on the faculty of the Physical Therapy Program at Stockton University from 1989 to June of 2022 when she was honored by earning “Professor Emerita” status. She taught entry level, post-professional and interprofessional ethics classes. Dr. Guenther also taught the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners approved “Ethics and Jurisprudence” or “Ethics” continuing education since the requirement was initiated in the 2008-2010 license cycle.

Dr. Guenther’s research has involved interprofessional education, core values and ethical decision-making. She has presented her work at the Association of Schools of Allied Health’s (ASAHP) National Conference, the international All Together Better Health Conference and APTA’s Combined Sections Meeting (CSM). Her current work “Use of an interprofessional virtual ethics event to enhance equity in clinical practice” has been accepted for a platform presentation at the ASAHP national conference in 10/2022. Dr. Guenther has published in the Journal of Allied Health Professions, the PT Journal, and the Journal of the HPA Section of the APTA.

She was a member of the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners and past Chair of the aptaNJ Ethics Committee. Dr. Guenther continues to serve on the Ethics Committee. In addition, she recently served as a content expert on “professional practice” for APTA’s Health Policy and Administration Section’s new Executive Leader Certification Program; Dr. Guenther will complete Loyola University’s graduate certificate in ethics in December of 2022.

 Zoom link sent at registration. Please hold on to it for future access.