APS Education List of Professional Skills for Physiologists and Tranees

Professional ethics is integrated into all areas of training, but often it is not taught explicitly as a separate topic. However, the importance of developing professional ethics in any career cannot be overemphasized. The physiologist who does not develop the professional attitudes and behaviors recognized as the norms for his/her profession and who does not adhere to the mandated protocols for use of living organisms and handling of data and information will find it difficult to be successful in the long term. Development of and adherence to professional ethics is vital to professionals in all fields.

Major Skills		A Trainee will understand the importance of and work to develop.

A. Professional attitudes		Awareness of responsibility as a scientist Awareness of the ethical implications of one's area of research Understanding of public affairs and how it relates to research

B. Professional behavior

Knowledge of and adherence to professional societies' codes of ethics
Recognition and acknowledgment of potential conflicts of interest
Understanding of appropriate steps or procedures for dealing with conflicts of interest
Recognition of the need to compensate employees fairly financially and by acknowledgement of their scientific contributions
Understanding of and respect for intellectual property rights
Understanding the need to ensure integrity of own publications and communications
Knowledge of what constitutes fair use of copyrighted material

C. Use of human/animal subjects

Knowledge of appropriate use of human/animal subjects
Knowledge of proper treatment of human/animal subjects
Knowledge of how human use and animal care committees work
Knowledge of proper protocols

D. Confidentiality

Knowledge of role of confidentiality in human research
Understanding of role of confidentiality in dealing with individuals

Items with blue highlight indicate skills that students would be more likely to develop after their graduate training.

For questions or comments, please contact:
APS Education Office
301-634-7132