|
Abstract: Revise the Code of Ethics of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
RESOLVED, That the Code of Ethics of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association be amended as follows:
Principle of Ethics I
Rules of Ethics
Individuals shall not misrepresent the credentials of assistants, technicians, or support personnel and shall inform those they serve professionally of the name and professional credentials of persons providing services. Individuals who hold the Certificates of Clinical Competence shall not delegate tasks that require the unique skills, knowledge, and judgment that are within the scope of their profession to assistants, technicians, support personnel, or any nonprofessionals over whom they have supervisory responsibility. An individual may delegate support services to assistants, technicians, support personnel, or any other persons only if those services are adequately supervised by an individual who holds the appropriate Certificate of Clinical Competence. Individuals shall not provide clinical services solely by correspondence (for example, written, electronic). Individuals may practice by telecommunication (for example, telehealth/e-health), where not prohibited by law.
Principle of Ethics II
Rules of Ethics
Individuals shall delegate the provision of clinical services only to: (1) persons who hold the appropriate Certificate of Clinical Competence; (2) persons in the education or certification process who are appropriately supervised by an individual who holds the appropriate Certificate of Clinical Competence; or (3) assistants, technicians, or support personnel who are adequately supervised by an individual who holds the appropriate Certificate of Clinical Competence.
Principle of Ethics III
Rules of Ethics
C. Individuals shall refer those served professionally solely on the basis of the interest of those being referred and not on any personal financial interest.
Principles of Ethics IV
Rules of Ethics
B. Individuals shall not engage in dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, sexual harassment, or any other form of conduct that adversely reflects on the professions or on the individual’s fitness to serve persons professionally.
C. Individuals shall not engage in sexual activities with clients or students over whom they exercise professional authority.
E. Individuals shall reference the source when using other persons’ ideas, research, presentations, or products in written, oral, or any other media presentation or summary.
I. Individuals who have reason to believe that the Code of Ethics has been violated shall inform the Board of Ethics.
Individuals shall comply fully with the policies of the Board of Ethics in its consideration and adjudication of complaints of violations of the Code of Ethics.
and further
RESOLVED, That the Code of Ethics be amended to reorder the rules supporting the Principles of Ethics as follows:
Principle I, Rule F, old Rule D
Rule G, old Rule E
Rule H, old Rule F
Rule I, old Rule G
Rule K, old Rule H
Rule L, old Rule I
Rule M, old Rule J
Rule N, old Rule K
Rule O, old Rule L
Principle III, Rule D, old Rule C
Rule E, old Rule D
Rule F, old Rule E
Principle IV, Rule D, old Rule C
Rule F, old Rule D
Rule G, old Rule E
Rule H, old Rule F
Rule I, old Rule G
Rule J, old Rule H
RATIONALE: The Code of Ethics was last revised in 1993 (LC 39-93), effective 1/1/94. In 1996, the (then-Ethical Practices Board, now) Board of Ethics began study of the Code to determine if any changes were warranted. A subcommittee was charged to review similar codes from other professional organizations, to evaluate new and emerging practices within the professions, to examine the influence of new technology on professional practice, and to formulate recommendations to the Board of Ethics for possible Code changes. An informal peer review was conducted by members of the Board on possible changes as they were generated. In 1999, a preliminary version of recommended changes was shared with attendees at the Board’s miniseminar at the ASHA convention, with input invited. In May 2000 a formal peer review process was instituted, which continued to August 1, 2000 (comments received through August 7, 2000 were reviewed by the Board of Ethics). Groups receiving a formal Call for Comment on these proposed changes included ASHA Executive Board, ASHA Legislative Council, ASHA Committees/Boards Chairs, Board of Division coordinators, Clinical Certification Board, Council on Academic Accreditation, Council on Professional Standards, Professional Services Board, all directors of academic programs in communication sciences and disorders, allied and related professional organizations, CAPCSD Executive Board, consumer groups, state association presidents, and state licensure boards in speech-language pathology and audiology. In addition, the recommended changes were published in The ASHA Leader, a special notice was posted on the ASHA Web site, and these changes were available both on the Web site and via Fax-on-Demand.
All comments received were analyzed carefully by staff, reviewed in written form by members of the Board of Ethics, and reviewed formally by the Board members at a face-to-face meeting. The Code changes proposed received "agree" ratings (merged categories of strongly agree and agree) ranging from 95.5% to 72% and "disagree" ratings (merged categories of strongly disagree and disagree) ranging from 2% to 17%. This member input was used to revise the initial Code changes recommended. Finally, proposed Code changes were reviewed and approved by the Association’s general counsel.
OUTCOME(S): If adopted, ASHA members and certificate holders will have a Code of Ethics that addresses current needs. If not adopted, the present ASHA Code of Ethics will be retained.
BUDGET IMPACT: Funds to implement this resolution should be minimal and consist of printing costs and costs of adding the new Code of Ethics to the ASHA Web site.
PROGRAMMATIC IMPACT: If passed, the revised ASHA Code of Ethics will explicitly make the following activities a violation of the Code: accepting or giving kickbacks, sexual harassment, sexual activity with students or with clients, plagiarism, misrepresenting credentials of nonprofessionals with whom members work, delegating professional tasks to nonprofessionals, and providing clinical services solely by correspondence, for example, written or electronic means. In addition, the Code revisions recognize telecommunication as an acceptable mode of practice for individuals trained in this methodology and service delivery mode, and where not prohibited by law.
If this resolution is not passed, these additions will not be made to the Code of Ethics.
|