Healthcare Professionals Have Certain Ethical Obligations - Assignment Example

Clinical Training I & Practitioner Development A. Healthcare professionals have certain ethical obligations to meet while they impart service to their clients. Healthy communication is a very important element in building interactive clinical environment. Since this process involves dealing with confidential matters, a homeopathic practitioner should respect and protect patients’ integrity (Sec 1. 1. 2, 1. 9). It is unethical if a practitioner discloses patients’ confidential matters to a third party. Admittedly, there are two situations when one can break this code: if the practitioner is sure that disclosing the confidential matter will save someone from a dangerous situation and if he is legally bound to disclose it. According to the Society of Homeopaths’ Code of Ethics, respecting patient is important to “foster and maintain the trust of individual patients and the public” (Sec 1. 1.4). Also, the code insists that one can disclose the confidential information ‘only in clearly defined circumstances’ (1. 10). This involves the practitioner’s discretion. Since the patient in the given context is suffering from depression, the practitioner has to assess if the situation involves any risk factor. For instance, highly depressed patients are often vulnerable to suicidal attempt. If the patient is diagnosed for such symptoms, it is advisable for a practitioner to disclose certain things to someone who would take care of the patient (Sec 2. 8, 14). On the other hand, if the person who referred the patient (here wife) is not aware that the client is suffering from depression and the situation does not pose any risk, the practitioner should not disclose confidential information. Since family environment plays a major role in cases like depression, the practitioner can help the couple by giving some common tips that may bring about some positive changes to their living conditions. B. The Society of Homeopaths’ Code of Ethics has set some personal boundaries for the registered or student clinical member in respect to their relationship with patients. As Section 3 (28) insists, they are not expected to “enter into an intimate relationship with a patient, student or supervisee”, for such relationship is abusive in itself and ‘undermines the relationship of trust’. Hence, in the given context, the member should not accept the patient’s offer. However, refusal must not hurt the person too. The member has to be a bit creative in this regard. It is not advisable for him/her to explain that accepting patients’ invitation for drink is against professional ethics. This may affect the patient’s self-esteem. Instead, one can tackle the situation either by saying “sorry, I won’t be free this evening; May be next time” or “Thanks for the invitation, but I don’t drink”. The logic is that the registered or student clinical member must avoid any chance of developing intimate relationship with a patient. It is likely that some patients feel emotional dependence to healthcare providers. However, a registered or student member has the responsibility to not encourage personal attachment. This does not mean that no relationship exists between a patient and a healthcare professional. Instead, the member should maintain a professional relationship with the patient giving attention to only to their primary concerns. Entering a flexible relationship actually limits a health practitioner’s freedom in his/her workplace. It will affect their self-esteem and autonomy and thereby reduce their productivity as a professional. 2. Professionalism is the main characteristic of every modern organization. In order to ensure this quality, they often maintain their own ethical codes. Modern healthcare institutions also give emphasis to ethical standards. In the changing healthcare scenario, healthcare practitioners, especially homeopaths, must ensure the applicability of ethical code as the primary requisite for effective services. The value of competent care evolves from the elements like respect, impartiality, dignity, and tolerance. In homeopathy, a code of ethics will clearly set parameters for identifying right practice and wrong practice. It is important for homeopathy to have a specific standard for quality as it is an area that confronts frequent criticism. According to The Homeopaths Code of Ethics, a professional is personally accountable for his/her actions and omissions in their practice. In other words, they must always be able to justify their decisions. Homeopathy influences its members to deliver a high standard of practice and care at all times. Practicing code of ethics will help one to demonstrate efficiency and effectiveness while managing a critical situation. This process involves assessing the client’s world from the view point of the client. In order to effectively deal with this process, the professional must recognize that each person has his own unique characteristics. Therefore, respecting patient’s dignity plays a vital role in this phase. In order to deal with the patients in an effective way, the practitioner must understand the patient’s attitude which is the key element in determining his health. However, a homeopathy professional must give emphasis to patient safety rather than widely accepted conventional practices. There are some real life situations where a professional may suggest care plan for the patient without his/her consent. For instance, a person who requires higher degrees of medical examination and care but unwilling to undergo them should be force-fed by the ideas. The logic is that a homeopathic professional must ensure patient safety rather than man-made code of conduct. Admittedly, unlike other conventional forms of medicine, homeopathic organizations lack uniformity in several respects due to the absence of universally accepted regulations. This is one of the major impediments for the growth of this branch of medicine. However, complying with the code of ethics of one’s own organization will ultimately enhance the reputation of homeopathic care as a whole. The lack of coordination in international levels has been affecting the growth of homeopathy to a great extent. Therefore, the sustainability of each institution depends on its own productivity and quality. This means, the responsibility of maintaining standard lies with each organization. This is the major factor that makes a code of conduct relevant. Homeopathy has high potential, and ensuring its full use is possible only if members of an organization comply with its code of ethics. Healthcare is a highly competitive industry today, and homeopathy is yet to be improved in respect to professionalism. Practitioners of this medicinal branch should get convinced of this modern approach. And, maintaining professionalism is possible only if there is a code of ethics to follow. Works Cited ‘Code of Ethics and Practice’. The Society of Homeopaths. (2010). Web. Read More