By Heather S. Petrusa
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
NSSLHA Chapter Advisor: Lisa Domby
Speech-language pathologists present a unique combination of characteristics that make us effective clinicians, advocates and leaders. The ASHA Code of Ethics provides a framework that helps guide our actions to ensure we are using our unique skills to provide appropriate and quality services.
We are compassionate. Let's face it—"Show me the money!" isn't what drove us to careers in speech-language pathology. It was our passion to improve the lives of others that influenced our career choice. Our work involves an array of emotions and we empathize with our clients' frustrations and we celebrate their progress. As eager as we may be to identify solutions for every client and condition we encounter, we are obligated to provide accurate information about the nature and management of communication disorders (ASHA Code of Ethics, Principle III, Rule E). This encompasses being forthcoming and realistic about prognoses regardless of our innate desire to help others. Through it all though, we can provide clients with motivation, support and hope for overcoming adversities.
We are humble. Our aim is to maximize the potential of all clients to improve their quality of life. We are eager to implement evidence based practices and we maintain an arsenal of tricks and techniques that can be modified to meet the individual needs of clients. At the same time, we must recognize our limitations. As a new clinician, I am certain that I will encounter situations for which I don't have the answers. In such situations, it is imperative that clinicians do not offer services for which they are not competent, trained or experienced (ASHA Code of Ethics, Principle III, Rule A). Although we are lifelong learners and are expected to continue learning new approaches and techniques, we are required to be upfront about our abilities and limitations and to provide referrals when our services are not appropriate to meet a client's needs.
We are advocates. It is our responsibility to support the development of services needed to fulfill the unmet needs of the public (ASHA Code of Ethics, Principle III). Change is constant—modifications to health care systems change reimbursement procedures, population influxes change demographics of the people we serve, and international conflicts change the medical conditions of clients served in veterans' hospitals. As our communities change and evolve, so too must our services. We are also responsible for advocating for the access, availability and affordability of appropriate services for everyone including the young, disabled, uninsured, ill, poor, elderly and non-native English speakers. Opportunities for advocacy are endless and varied. We can serve on committees, promote policy changes or advocate for the services of a single client.
We are leaders. We are responsible for promoting public understanding of our professions (ASHA Code of Ethics, Principle III). As a student, I was fortunate to have supportive mentors who guided me along a new career path into speech-language pathology. Many of our communities continue to face shortages of health care providers; however, we can serve as a voice to recruit more qualified individuals into our profession. Just as we relied on the support of others to actualize our career aspirations, we too can inspire future professionals by speaking at career fairs, providing opportunities for job shadowing or serving as Clinical Fellowship supervisors.
All of these characteristics impact our beliefs and service delivery methods. In addition to bringing unique characteristics to this dynamic field, we also bring integrity and professionalism. The ASHA Code of Ethics was designed to provide a framework for quality care and to maintain these high standards of integrity. I encourage all speech-language pathologists, whether experienced and approaching retirement or recently graduated and beginning a clinical fellowship, to take a moment and reflect on what the Code of Ethics means to them and their professional practices.
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