Questions for Patients to Assess Their Physical Therapist’s Professionalism

Information for the Physical Therapist

The professionalism questions below were developed using APTA’s Professionalism Core Values to identify relevant
parallel questions that could be posed of patients across all 7 core values. Each of the items below are associated with
one of the core values (ie, Items 1 and 2 = Accountability, Item 3 = Professional Duty, Item 4 = Integrity, Item 5 and 8 =
Compassion/Caring, Item 6 and 9 = Excellence, Item 7 = Altruism, Item 10 = Social Responsibility). You may choose to use
all 10 items as shown below or select specific professionalism items to add to your existing practice’s patient surveys. The
intent is to provide a resource to assist in assessing how well PTs in your practice setting demonstrate professionalism as
perceived by your patients. Please note that this tool has not undergone psychometric testing and is being provided as a
professionalism resource for your use with your patients.

Patient Directions: Think about the services provided by your physical therapist and please respond honestly to the
questions below. If you are unsure about any answer, please check the Do Not Know (DNK)/Not Applicable (NA) option.

SD = Strongly Disagree D = Disagree N = Neutral A = Agree SA = Strongly Agree DNK/NA = Do Not Know/Not
Applicable

1. My physical therapist responds to my health care needs

and goals. □ SD □ D □N □A □ SA □ DNK/NA
2. My physical therapist respects and maintains my rights
to privacy and confidentiality. □ SD □ D □N □A □ SA □ DNK/NA
3. My physical therapist keeps me safe and comfortable
during care. □ SD □ D □N □A □ SA □ DNK/NA
4. My physical therapist is reliable (eg, is on time for
appointments). □ SD □ D □N □A □ SA □ DNK/NA
5. My physical therapist develops my plan of care specific
to my health condition and needs. □ SD □ D □N □A □ SA □ DNK/NA
6. My physical therapist shares current knowledge with me
about my health condition and the purpose of the
treatment. □ SD □ D □N □A □ SA □ DNK/NA
7. My physical therapist goes beyond my expectations
for my physical therapy care. □ SD □ D □N □A □ SA □ DNK/NA
8. My physical therapist works to support my access to
health care, rehabilitation equipment, and physical
therapy services. □ SD □ D □N □A □ SA □ DNK/NA

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 Questions for Patients to Assess Their Physical Therapist’s Professionalism

9. My physical therapist refers me to other health care

providers, as needed. □ SD □ D □N □A □ SA □ DNK/NA
10. My physical therapist is familiar with community-wide
programs (eg, community-based fitness programs)
and provides me with available information. □ SD □ D □N □A □ SA □ DNK/NA

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