Professionalism Guidelines and Expectations

We expect that everyone involved in the DPT program displays professional behaviors, including maintaining high ethical standards, honesty, commitment to learning, strong interpersonal communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and stress management skills, respect for others, effective and safe use of time and resources, and constructive integration of feedback. We expect all individuals to be accountable for their actions. The professional behaviors below are expected of all learners throughout their studies in the classroom, during clinical experiences, and in the community both in-person and remote contexts. Adherence to professional behaviors is as important as maintaining high academic performance.

Professionalism Guidelines

If a course director and/or clinical instructor observes a serious lapse in professional behavior or a pattern of unprofessional behaviors, they will talk with you to discuss what they’ve observed. If the behaviors continue, the program director may contact your faculty advisor to work more closely with you on reflection and remedies for the unprofessional behaviors. If no improvement is observed and you are not able to meet the program’s professional behavior expectations, regardless of your GPA, you will be placed on academic notice and asked to meet with an Academic and Professional Review Committee (APRC), which will collaborate with you to develop an individualized success plan to support your growth in this area. Continued observation of unprofessional behaviors, inability to meet success plan expectations, or any egregious incidents may put you at risk of dismissal from the program, independent of grades.

Professional Behavior Expectations

Professional behaviors expected in the DPT program include those from the APTA Code of Ethics, the core principles of which are that physical therapists (physical therapy learners):

  1. Respect the inherent dignity and rights of all individuals.
  2. Be trustworthy and compassionate in addressing the rights and needs of patients and clients.
  3. Be accountable for making sound professional judgments.
    • Accept responsibility for personal mistakes and not blame others or offer excuses.
    • Manage professional responsibilities through effective task prioritization and maintaining appropriate work-life boundaries.
  4. Demonstrate integrity in their relationships with patients and clients, families, colleagues, students, research participants, other health care providers, employers, payers, and the public.
  5. Fulfill their legal and professional obligations.
    1. Maintain HIPAA compliance and use discretion when discussing confidential information.
    2. Respond in a timely fashion to all email communications from faculty and staff and both universities (within 48 hours during academic and clinical weekdays).
  6. Enhance their expertise through the lifelong acquisition and refinement of knowledge, skills, abilities, and professional behaviors.
    1. Demonstrate a receptive attitude towards constructive feedback; utilize suggestions to make appropriate changes in performance and/or behavior.
    2. Recognize own limitations by asking for guidance and assistance when needed.
    3. Demonstrate initiative to increase skills and knowledge by using appropriate resources.
  7. Promote organizational behaviors and business practices that benefit patients and clients and society.
    1. Comply with University and program policies and procedures.
    2. Meet the requirements of all courses and maintain academic integrity.
    3. Not use community facility, clinic, or University property for personal business.
    4. Not use drugs or alcohol while attending classes or clinical experiences (any use of substances which may affect patient safety will not be tolerated).
  8. Participate in efforts to meet the health needs of people locally, nationally, or globally.

The program’s professional behavior expectations also align with the APTA’s Communication and Professionalism Domains of Competence:

  1. Communicate using verbal, nonverbal and written communication demonstrating cultural humility to effectively exchange information and enhance therapeutic and professional relationships in varied situations and circumstances.
    1. Demonstrate flexibility in accommodating unforeseen conditions or circumstances.
    2. Convey appropriate self-confidence (offer assistance to others when appropriate) and use appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication skills with others.
    3. Solve problems through appropriate channels in an efficient and congenial manner.
  2. Demonstrate cultural humility and a commitment to high standards of ethical behavior, exhibit appropriate professional conduct, and advocate for a health system that enhances the well-being of the patient/client, society, and the profession.
    1. Be truthful.
    2. Be respectful and courteous towards others.
    3. Maintain a professional appearance (dress code below)

All members of the DPT community are also expected to adhere to UCSF’s Ethical Standards and Code of Conduct, PRIDE Values, and Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline, as well as the SFSU Student Conduct Policy.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity and honesty consistent with the APTA core values are the foundation for all course assignments and learning activities. The following are prohibited: (a) stealing, reproducing, circulating, or otherwise gaining access to written and/or practical examination materials prior to the time authorized by the instructor; (b) unauthorized collaborating on an academic assignment or examination or failing to report those who appear to be cheating; (c) retaining, possessing, using, circulating, or discussing previously given written and/or practical examination materials (including case scenarios and test materials to be returned to the instructor at the conclusion of the examination); (d) intentionally obstructing or interfering with another learner’s academic work; (e) using electronic media (e.g., cell phones, tablets) during examinations unless authorized by the course instructor; f) sharing information about written or practical exams prior to all students completing the assessments.

AI Guidelines: The work in your classes is expected to be your own original work. You may use AI programs (e.g., ChatGPT, Versa, Gemini) to help generate ideas and brainstorm. However, please note that the material generated by these programs may be inaccurate, incomplete, or otherwise problematic. Be aware that use of artificial intelligence may also stifle your own independent thinking and creativity and may negatively impact your ability to master the subject matter. Please see individual course syllabi for more explicit directions on use of AI in individual courses.

You may not submit any work generated by an AI program as your own. Primary articles, seminal work, and high-quality evidence are always preferred sources, but if you do decide to include material generated by an AI program (with due consideration for its quality, which may be poor), it must be cited like any other reference or source material. Inadequate citation is considered academic dishonesty and may result in disciplinary action.

Professional Dress Code

All faculty, learners, and staff represent the program during educational and program activities, and dress and personal appearance reflect that. All individuals are expected wear ID badges at all times, and to follow the UCSF Medical Center’s Employee Dress Standards. Please maintain appropriate personal hygiene such that body odor, smoke, etc. are not detectable (also, out of consideration for others who are environmentally sensitive, the use of scented personal products is strongly discouraged). Clothing must be clean, neat, and appropriate for the program activity (i.e., standards may vary between the clinic, didactic sessions, and during clinical skills activities). Sheer or tight garments that expose undergarments are not appropriate outside of clinical skills sessions where exposure of body areas may be needed to demonstrate and practice assessment and treatment techniques. Shoes must be safe, clean, and in good repair; open-toed shoes are not permitted in clinical facilities. Hair and facial hair must be clean and not interfere with activities. Nails are to be kept short (should not extend past the tip of the finger). Jewelry and other accessories must not interfere with safety or activities. Headgear, except that required by religious belief, is not allowed.

For clinical experiences, please follow the dress code specified by each facility, which is the final authority on dress code policy at that site. Inquire about the facility’s guidelines prior to each clinical experience, and if they do not have a dress code or the policy is less than comprehensive, please follow the UCSF Medical Center Standards.