Professionalism: A Career In Physical Therapy

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, professionalism is defined as the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person. A few pages to the left, efficient is defined as productive of desired effects, especially productive without waste, an efficient worker. A few more pages to the left, cordial is defined as showing or marked by warm and often hearty friendliness, favor, or approval, a cordial welcome.

The term professional, like many words and concepts has many different dimensions and the meaning of which has changed over time. One definition might be getting paid to complete a specific set of specialised tasks. Another might be an uncompromising commitment to performing at the highest level at all times. Yet another could be displaying a polite, considerate and generally businesslike manner in the workplace. Whilst most of these statements are partially correct, there are many aspects to conducting yourself in a professional manner. The most recognised

When being professional you aim to give the best you can and that means to commit beyond your own expectations, by looking into the long term and seeing what could go wrong, and make sure different approaches are in place to prevent these. Being professional will always be advantageous and will create a positive repute for either yourself or the business you are supporting. Sometimes your professional behaviour can have an impact on your own work, eg, promotions. It will also increase pride. Therefore professionalism is an all-round beneficial factor.

According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary (2017), professionalism is “the skill, good judgment, and polite behavior that is expected to do a job well.” Medical professionals must possess occupational competence, ethical excellence, and exemplary patient relations. Occupational competence encompasses more than just job knowledge. While being technically competent to perform all necessary job functions is vital, a commitment to continually improve is essential. With the rate of technological advancements in the medical profession, continued education is required to stay abreast of changes. Self-reflection is also important to know when and where personal improvement is needed. High ethical standards, including honesty, integrity, accountability,

I believe that most important indicators of professionalism that I possess are respect, accountability and tenacity. I show respect by listening, being fair, and following through. Instead of seeking to control children’s behavior, rather try to respect and understand it. Being accountable not only means being responsible for something but also ultimately being answerable for your actions. Being engaged as a teacher is important to professionalism because

Believe it or not a lot of individuals do not know how to become and maintain being professional. This is a perfect to quote "lead by example", be an example for others to learn from you and you could always learn from others. If you are not learning something every day you are wasting your own time. Its always a perfect time to learn and today I learned about professionalism. From a bit of research through internet and a few friends, and also from what I know and have experienced from day to day. A lot of issues I have been through could of been solved by just using some professionalism, for example, thinking before I reacted to certain situations and conversations. Always carry yourself professional and people will think much more highly about you and the way they percieve you.

A professional is characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2) : exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace. Being professional should be a subconscious effort in the fact that it should always be applied. When employees are professional it helps the system run more efficiently and safely. A person must me a certain criteria when being evaluated on professionalism, a person is judged based on the clients; Attitude, Values, Communication techniques, and approachability. Clients who display a committed, dependable attitude will benefit more from work exerted, and overall be rewarded with incentives. Although professionalism may be in the eye of the

Avis et al (2010) state that historically, only occupations such as Doctors, Solicitors, the Clergy and Bank Managers were worthy of the title of being called a “Professional”. However they go on to say that this has changed over time to the point whereby much more diverse groups are describing themselves within the category of being professional to the point that the term becomes meaningless. That said, they do agree that a professional should hold a set of specific skills and knowledge that are gained through a certain amount of training and “should be used for the benefit of society”. Teachers, lecturers and trainers clearly fit within this remit. Scales (2008) lists professionalism as one of the traits of an effective teacher. He goes on the say that professionalism is multi-faceted, citing the way teachers behave, look, the way interact with their students, how they talk and how they prepare and plan their work all form what he believes makes a professional.

Professionalism is a vital characteristic that is required in a wide range of different applications. It is a multifaceted term that encompasses all the attributes that are essential to be an ethical and capable professional in today’s society. As a student in a doctor of physical therapy program, an individual must be able to display professionalism throughout daily activities to perform at a respectable and responsible level. Professionalism qualities can be shown by a student through demonstration of accountability, compassion, integrity, and excellence.

Explaining professionalism by simply asserting what you desire as a student is not achievable. You need life experience to explain what professionalism means. Professionalism is not something that you accomplish occasionally; it needs a rooted presence in your life. As a physical therapy student, application of my experiences in what constitutes a professional in all possible environments is paramount. While physical therapy schools are distinctive, professionalism stays the same. My undergraduate education along with internship experience hard-wired professionalism into daily life and will propel my future in graduate school.

Professionalism in the workplace, is the absolute key to having a successful, and smoothly run business. Professionalism is something that must be maintained by every individual within the work setting, especially in health care, whether it is the janitor, activity director, nursing assistant, doctor, or even the head administrator. Professionalism encompasses many aspects, such as teamwork, attitude, environment, knowledge, morals, and ethics.

Professionalism encompasses a plethora of attributes that must be displayed daily by those who strive to be known as the best at what they do. Even though I am about to finish my undergraduate career, the past four years have taught me a few things about being a young, up and coming professional. Going into any physical therapy program, I believe that an even higher standard will be demanded from me as I work towards becoming a licensed professional. Being a professional doctor of physical therapy (DPT) student is incumbent upon having a magnificent work ethic, having a tremendous attention to detail, show up on time, dress appropriately, and respect everyone. These characteristics although just a few, play a crucial role in being the best student I can be.

The thought of professionalism conjures up many ideas, and possibly pre-conceived judgements. These will not always be classed as positive or negative, but will undoubtedly have a profound effect on the way you are perceived in your area of work or chosen profession.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, professionalism is defined as “consistently [demonstrating] core values by aspiring to and wisely applying principles of altruism, excellence, caring, ethics, respect, communication and accountability, and by working together with other professionals to achieve optimal health and wellness in individuals and communities". In the context of being a student in a doctor of physical therapist degree program, there is no better model than the precursors before you. As an employee in an acute care rehabilitation setting, I have the opportunity of seeing firsthand the professional qualities that are essential in this profession.

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines professionalism as the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person. Yet the White Paper on Pharmacy Student Professionalism says it is displaying values, beliefs and attitudes that put the needs of another about your personal needs. There is still another definition. The Medical Professionalism Project says professionalism is the basis of medicine's contract with society. It demands placing the interests of patients above those of the physician, setting and maintaining standards of competence and integrity, and providing expert advice to society on matters of health. In my opinion, a person's attitude, values, and behaviors