10 Ways Practitioners Can Avoid Frequent Ethical Pitfalls

About the Course:

Boost your ethical know-how with practical tips on avoiding common ethical quandaries. The article points out that the best defense against an ethical problems is a good offense. By looking out for foreseeable conflicts and discussing them frankly with colleagues and clients, practitioners can avoid the misunderstandings, hurt feelings and sticky situations that lead to hearings before ethics boards, lawsuits, loss of license or professional membership, or even more dire consequences. The article encourages practitioners to think about ethics as a way of asking “How can I be even better in my practice?” Good ethical practice is good risk management practice.” Please Note: As always, when weighing ethical decisions please consult the code of ethics for your particular discipline as well as the state mental health statutes applicable to your practice.

Publication Date:

APA Monitor, Volume 34, No. 1 January 2003

Author

Deborah Smith

About the Author:

American Psychological Association Monitor Staff

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially addiction counselors, psychologists, mental health counselors, social workers, and nurses who seek knowledge about using good ethical practice to provide good professional practice. It is appropriate for all levels of participants’ knowledge.

Course Objectives:

1. Discuss ways to protect confidentiality

2. Explain what constitutes a multiple relationship

3. Discuss respect of people’s autonomy in terms of informed consent

4. Discuss supervisory responsibilities

5. Cite examples that stress the importance to identify your client and your role

6. Discuss record Keeping Guidelines

7. Explain the difference between abandonment and termination

8. Explain the importance to practice only where you have expertise

9. Discuss what to adhere to when providing expert opinion

10. Discuss error to avoid when billing