Ethical Guidelines for Speech Therapists

Guidelines for Speech Therapists and Audiologists

• Ethics is the study of morality and values, moral principles that govern behavior, knowing what is right and wrong, and human decision-making.
• Values are personal standards and principles.
• Morals conform to accepted standards and determine or constrain ethics.
• Historical dilemmas (Nazi experiments, Tuskegee syphilis studies, monster studies) have shaped ethical decision-making around human rights.
• Ethics is based on the Declaration of Helsinki, Hippocratic oath, Bill of Rights, SA Constitution, National Health Act, various SA acts, and the child act and safety act. It also considers the rights of people with disabilities.
• Ethical codes are set up to protect individuals and the community, as well as morality of the group.
• Moral dilemmas involve balancing patient needs versus the needs of others (family, community, society).

Who Sets Standards?

• Parents, philosophers, priests, public, profession, Parliament, and press all play a role in setting standards.

Historical Dilemmas

• Nazi experiments, Tuskegee syphilis studies, and monster studies are historical dilemmas that illustrate complex ethical challenges in research and decision-making concerning human rights and ethical conduct.

Ethics Based On

• Documents such as the Declaration of Helsinki and the Hippocratic oath form the foundation for ethical practice.
• Legislation like the Bill of Rights, the SA Constitution, the National Health Act, and specific statutes for children and safety, as well as the rights of people with disabilities, are crucial guidelines.

Ethical Codes

• These codes aim to guide acceptable professional conduct in various contexts.

Professionals and Ethical Rules

• Professionals should lead honest lives, know and do what's right, consider justice and how to inflict no harm, distinguishing between good and bad.
• Professionals need to be virtuous and develop their clinical touch/judgment capability, demonstrating understanding of right and wrong.

Features of Professionalism

• Commitment to serving the public, expertise in specific areas, and self-regulation are essential components in professionalism.
• Professions are guided by codes of ethics.

Code of Ethics

• Non-maleficence (avoiding harm)
• Beneficence (acting in the best interests of the client)
• Honesty and truthfulness in communication
• Justice, fairness, and impartiality in treatment and care.
• Keeping commitments and respecting confidentiality

Core Ethical Values and Standards

• Respect for individuals, prioritizing their best interests, ensuring no harm, and allowing self-determination are fundamental ethical values.
• Maintaining integrity, truthfulness, trust, and patient confidentiality are vital.
• Practical application of these principles forms a strong foundation for professional practice.

Autonomy

• Respecting patient privacy, protecting confidential information and obtaining informed consent are key elements.

Ethical Predicaments

• Stressful work situations may cause dilemmas and distress.
• Professional codes guide decision-making and address conflicts of interest or other problematic situations.

Professional Ethical Behavior

• Professional conduct should adhere to truthful and honest practices, without making promises that cannot be kept.
• It is important to balance different needs and priorities fairly.

Ethical Behaviour

• Adherence to ethical principles in professional duties is crucial, and professionals must be aware of constraints and limitations that impact real-life practice.

Ethical Grid

• A framework for ethical decision-making by considering societal expectations, individual needs, and outcomes.

Strategies to Reduce Moral Stress

• The strategies to understand and reduce professional moral stress cover the area of professional well-being.
• Actively finding ways to cope with difficult situations and having support networks.

Areas of Concern

• Over-servicing, over-charging, mobile practice, hearing aid fraud, inexperienced practitioners, CAPD management, and "strings attached" represent potentially problematic issues in practice.
• Media and technology (implications of social media, advertising on social media, and use of technology for practice) raises concerns.
• Loose lips and disclosure (confidentiality) are important considerations for ethical and professional behavior.

Insurance/Indemnity

• Insurance is essential to protect against accidents in practice.

Ethical Conflicts

• The ever-increasing use of technology and expanding scopes of practice highlight increasing ethical conflicts.
• Businesses practices becoming more prominent for professionals.

Harassment

• Misconduct in work situations (harassment and discrimination) raises ethical concerns.
• Professionals often need to report such issues if they arise.

Practicing in the Health Professions

• Recent graduates often embark on community service positions before private practice to gain experience.
• Community service is a mandatory step in the educational process.
• Students need to register with certain bodies to practice.
• They must understand their rights and responsibilities.

Going into Private Practice

• There are various ways to start a private practice, such as sole practices, partnerships, and group practices or being incorporated.
• Professionals need insurance to protect their business.

Report writing and Professional Notes

• Patient records are important for various reasons (continuity of care, promoting standards, legal documentation).
• Records are important for audit, education purposes and can be used in legal proceedings.
• Documentation should adhere to professional standards.

Record Keeping

• Contemporaneous record keeping (records created at the time of the event) is important.
• Record integrity and accessibility are crucial.
• Security and confidentiality of records should be ensured.

Telepractise

• Issues of confidentiality and ethical practices apply to telemedicine.

Infection Control

• Following universal precautions and proper disinfection practices are essential, according to context.
• Handling spills and managing infectious diseases safely are essential.

Multilingual Population

• Serving multilingual clients requires a good understanding of different languages.

Social Media Ethics

• Using social media responsibly is now a crucial ethical consideration.
• Sharing professional information, respecting confidentiality, and avoiding conflicts of interest are important aspects.
• Maintaining professional boundaries and avoiding personal biases on social media is crucial.
• Avoiding inappropriate comments is essential for maintaining professional integrity.