Ethical communication

Question 1

What does ethical communication achieve in a health service?

Answer 1

It is necessary for the maintenance of harmonious, productive, satisfying and beneficial therapeutic relationships (Brown et al 2014, Donker & Andrews 2011)(Page 239)

Question 2

Why must a health professional fulfil ethical requirements?

Answer 2

Ethical requirements must be fulfilled by health professionals in order to maintain a positive working relationship. These requirements are usually made bespoke to the healthcare setting. These requirements consist of:
1. Respect
2. Honesty
3. Clarification of expectations
4. Informed consent
5. Agreement about information
6. Confidentiality
7. Boundaries
8. Relationships
9. Self disclosure
10. Over- identification

Question 3

What information must a health professional provide?

Answer 3

How the health professional will deal with the information provided by the client. Informed consent re clear information about the procedure, the associated risks and the expected outcome of the procedure. Their rights, the service along with details about how any disclosed information may be managed to maintain confidentiality.

Question 4

What forms can this information take?

Answer 4

Verbal or written communication

Question 5

List five things a health professional must remember to ensure ethical communication.

Answer 5

1. Over identification can cause difficulties in the therapeutic nature of a relationship (Purtilo & Haddad 2007, Purtilo et al 2014).
2. The health professional must ask themselves whether the relationship is fulfilling their needs rather than those of the person/s.
3. Self disclosure should never occur to move the focus to the health professional or to make the health professional appear connected and knowledgeable. It should only take place to encourage and maintain the relationship (Devito 2014)
4. It is important to practice within the limitations of their profession-related knowledge and skills.
5. Health professionals must take care when they say anything about any of the people with whom they are working – colleagues or otherwise.

Question 6

Define emotional competence and explain how it assists a health professional to achieve ethical communication.

Answer 6

Emotional competency is the ability to be self-aware of your own emotional state and the emotional state of those around you. This allows you to filter through thoughts and feelings before communication starts in order to achieve the best ethical outcomes for all.

Question 7

What are the requirements of the code of conduct relevant to your health profession?

Answer 7

1. Respect the autonomy of people receiving your service, acknowledging their roles in Whanau and their community.
2. Ensure that people receiving your service feel safe and accepted and that you are aware of the impact or potential impact of your actions, omissions or attitudes.
3. Demonstrate that the mana, tino rangatiratanga, wairua, dignity, privacy, health and concerns of people are central to service delivery.
4. Provide services in a fair and equitable manner ensuring that people are included in decision making.
5. Accurately represent your skills and competencies.
6. Ensure your fee structure, if any, is fair and clearly communicated in accessible formats.
7. Identify and report any breach in this code of ethics to the occupational therapy board of New Zealand for further consideration. This includes concerns for other therapist’s practice or conduct.
8. Practice within the boundaries of your experience, training and competence.
9. Support the maintenance of occupational therapy standards of practice.
10. Not bring the profession or other health practitioners into disrepute.
11. Acknowledge and respect other colleagues, professionals and peers.
12. Encourage your work organisation / health system to enhance the provision if health services to address equity and sustainability issues.