Ethics

CODE OF ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

Introduction

The rationale for the Ethical Principles is to maintain a high general standard of professional conduct from every member of the Australian Podiatry Association (NSW).

The Ethical Principles will be revised regularly in response to changing social climate and professional necessity. Their purpose is to maintain the dignity and integrity of the profession, which is no more or less than the profession and the community expects, and has currently enjoyed for many years.

Members of the Australian Podiatry Association (NSW) as professional people, should recognise their responsibilities and obligations to the patients/clients, colleagues, this Association and to podiatry. The welfare of the patient/client is of paramount importance and the practitioner's obligation to conserve this cannot be over emphasised and should be done to the utmost of the practitioner's ability. Each member is responsible for his/her own actions. Careful consideration of these actions will avoid discredit to the member, this Association and to the profession.

The Code of Ethical Principles are rules to be observed by the podiatrist in the practice of their profession. If further assistance is required in the interpretation of these rules, or in cases of doubt, guidance should be sought from the Association.

The Code of Ethical Principles should be read in conjunction with the Podiatrists' Act and its Regulations, the Code of Professional Conduct and the Constitution of the Australian Podiatry Association (NSW). The laws of the State and Commonwealth override all other principles and guidelines.

It is the aim of the Australian Podiatry Association (NSW) to uphold and defend the standards of the profession and to safeguard the interests of its members. Any breach of the Association's rules may be dealt with under the Articles of Association. Members are reminded that a condition of entry into the Association is to sign a Statutory Declaration agreeing to abide by the Code of Ethics (which includes Ethical Principles and Code of Professional Conduct).

Ethical Principles Of The Australian Podiatry Association (NSW)

Any practising member of the Australian Podiatry Association (NSW) shall, unless there be a well considered and proper reason to act otherwise in a particular instance, abide by the Ethical Principles of this Association.

Respect the rights and dignity of all individuals
The relationship between the Podiatrist and any individual seeking professional assistance should be one of mutual trust and respect, based on a clear recognition of the rights of all parties. This relationship can only foster in an environment of respect, honesty, tolerance and compassion.

The rights of the patient/client

i) The patient/client has the right to receive and expect the best possible care and attention.
ii) The patient/client has a right to expect treatment only for as long as it is beneficial. The commitment to service and not self-interest, is expected from members of this Association.
iii) The patient's/client's right to privacy shall always be respected.
iv) The patient/client or their legal guardian has the right to be informed of the diagnosis, possible treatment options, and possible cause of presenting conditions, potential risks involved in treatment/non-treatment. This should be done in such a way that sufficient information is offered to the patient/client in a comprehensive and understandable manner to allow informed and educated consent to treatment or to decline treatment.
v) The patient/client should not be exploited to sexual, emotional or financial reasons.
vi) The patient/client has a right to exercise freedom of choice. Any request for a second opinion shall not be refused. Make available all relevant information as is necessary.

The rights of the podiatrist

i) The podiatrist has a right to professional independence and autonomy.
ii) The podiatrist has a right to be advised of any written complaint of professional misconduct and given every reasonable opportunity to defend him/herself against such allegations in accordance with the rules of natural justice. The podiatrist should not be expected to tolerate malicious or unsubstantiated complaints about his/her professional competency or integrity.
iii) The podiatrist may rightfully expect cooperation from fellow members of the Association.
iv) The podiatrist has the right to refuse to treat or intervene if, in his/her professional opinion, the service is not in the best interest of the patient/client. Otherwise, the podiatrist may only refuse treatment in a non-emergency situation and where adequate alternative care is available.
v) The podiatrist must inform the patient/client to seek alternative care when the personal moral judgment or religious conscience of the podiatrist alone, prevents the recommendation of some form of therapy.

The rights of the profession

i) The profession, through this Association, expects the loyalty of its members to uphold the dignity and integrity of the profession. It expects its members not to behave in such a way as to bring a member of the profession into disrepute through unethical, incompetent or illegal behaviour.
ii) The profession has the right to expect that those who teach podiatry have the qualifications, competency and experience so to do.
iii) The profession has the right to expect that the practice of podiatry shall not be undermined by the indiscriminate teaching of podiatry skills to other individuals or groups. Members shall not delegate to anyone other than a registered podiatrist, any service, treatment or operation that requires the professional competence of a podiatrist. Furthermore, members must also supervise the work of all ancillary personnel in their employment or under their control, in the interests of providing the best service to the patient/client.
iv) The profession has the right to expect acceptable behaviour to be demonstrated to all members of the general public, staff at the Association office and all colleagues in health professions; all occurrences of unacceptable behaviour shall be viewed seriously (sexual harassment is an example of unacceptable behaviour).

Help all who seek treatment, without discrimination

A podiatrist may not deny treatment to any patient/client on the basis of colour, race, religion, political or sexual persuasion or nature of illness.
i) A podiatrist is morally obliged to help all those who seek professional assistance. If the podiatrist is unable to perform this duty of care him/herself for whatever reason, the podiatrist is bound, wherever possible, to ensure that appropriate care is provided by another colleague or suitable practitioner.
ii) The podiatrist shall respect the customs of the patient/client in the performance of professional duties.
iii) The podiatrist is obliged to work towards achieving justice in the provision of appropriate health care for all.

Give an honest, competent and accountable professional service

i) The podiatrist shall recognise the responsibilities and duties of being entrusted with certain skills within the scope of practice of podiatry and shall use these effectively for the benefit of the individual and the community.
ii) The podiatrist shall, wherever possible, work towards improvement of the quality of life for those within his/her sphere of influence.
iii) The podiatrist shall ensure that fees for professional services are fair and set at an appropriate level commensurate with the value and personal service rendered.
iv) The podiatrist should endeavour to explain all fees and charges to the patient/client and to discuss same.
v) The podiatrist must not refer patients/clients to any institution for services in which the podiatrist has a financial interest, without full disclosure of such interest.

Responsibilities/duties of the Association

i) The Australian Podiatry Association (NSW) undertakes to monitor and always strive to improve the standards of the profession.
ii) The Association shall undertake to actively promote the profession, on behalf of its members, to the health professions and the community at large. This shall be done in an honest, truthful and comprehensive way.
iii) The Association shall manage, through its elected members, all resources and finances entrusted in it, in an open, efficient and accountable fashion, to the benefit of its members and the profession.
iv) The Association shall give support to members through the sharing of information, education, organisation and policy development and through its activities, programmes and forward planning.
v) The Association shall be accountable to its members and the community.
vi) The Association shall direct its members in matters relating to health and safety, health and education and legislation affecting the health and well being of the podiatrist or the community.
vii) The Association shall from time to time, recommend fees, recommend code of conduct, recommend standards of practise in the best interests of the members, the profession and the community.

Recognize the extent and limitations of your scope of practice

i) The podiatrist shall practise the art and science of podiatry to the best of his/her ability and within the limit of his/her expertise and competence and for which he/she can be held accountable.
ii) The podiatrist shall be aware of the current accepted standards of practice and current accepted theories and consciously compare his/her own position in relation to these standards.
iii) The podiatrist shall base all professional practice decisions on sound knowledge and skills and self awareness.
iv) The podiatrist has an obligation to expose his/her professional ideas, knowledge and skills to peer review for scrutiny and comment.
v) The podiatrist has an obligation to report to the appropriate body of peers, any conduct by a colleague deemed to be unethical, unprofessional or incompetent.
vi) The podiatrist shall, when interpreting scientific knowledge to the community, recognise a responsibility to give the generally held opinions of the profession.
vii) The podiatrist has an obligation to his/her patient/client to acknowledge lack of knowledge or special skills in certain instances, or coping with a particular problem, and should:-
• seek guidance from a person with more experience with such problems
• refer the patient/client to the appropriate professional.
viii) The podiatrist shall endeavour to identify and rectify any gaps in his/her knowledge or skills which prevents him/her providing an optimal service to the community.

Maintain at all times, the highest standard of professional competence and continually update and extend professional knowledge and skills.

Responsibility of the podiatrist

i) The podiatrist has an obligation and responsibility to provide the most acceptable and up to date service.
ii) The podiatrist shall strive to constantly improve, update and increase professional knowledge and skills through literature, seminars and other educational resources available.
iii) The podiatrist, as an employer, shall encourage and provide opportunities for employees to develop and grow professionally.
iv) The podiatrist, as an employer, must ascertain that employees are suitable qualified and experienced to undertake the responsibilities delegated to them.
v) The podiatrist shall share professional knowledge and skills with junior colleagues and peers.

Responsibility of the Association

i) The Australian Podiatry Association (NSW) shall ensure that adequate opportunity is provided for its members to upgrade their professional knowledge and skills through:-
• continuing education, seminars, conferences, organised on or on behalf of the Association.
• further education, through continuing discussion with the relevant education authorities.
ii) The Australian Podiatry Association (NSW) shall ensure that it is only involved in ethical research and shall actively oppose unethical research.
• Research studies should be of demonstrable scientific merit and that the relevant institutional ethics committee has evaluated the study.

Hold in confidence, all personal information entrusted to you

In general, keep in confidence, information derived from your patient/client or from a colleague regarding your patient/client. Divulge only such information with permission from the relevant parties or when a court demands.
i) Information regarding a patient/client shall not be discussed with another person without prior consent of the patient/client.
ii) Computer systems, files and other recording systems shall be protected in such a way that unauthorised personnel can not gain access to them.
iii) Information gained during a research project must not identify the subject unless prior written consent is given.
iv) Privacy shall be maintained during patient/client interviews and consultations.
v) Confidential information regarding a colleague may be divulged only in appropriate circumstances.
vi) Confidential information supplied to administrators and others about an individual, shall not be placed on permanent record without that individual's knowledge.
vii) Information may be given when authorised by a court or other legal authority.
viii) The podiatrist shall recognise that in certain exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary to divulge the information where the life of a person is at risk, or to protect the welfare of an individual or the community.