Speak Out June 2019

Ethics

The ethics mailbag will feature responses to questions or discussion on hot topics to help you navigate ethical practice of being a speech pathologist. We want to have a conversation about the issues you are experiencing in your daily practice and help you navigate through everyday ethical challenges. Please identify topics that are interesting and relevant to you and then have a chat with us - email us your questions, ideas and responses to our ethical scenario! Submit your questions or hot button topics to ethics@ speechpathologyaustralia.org.au August edition Mailbag deadline: 1 July 2019 Members can now write in with questions and thoughts on anything ethics related! Welcome to Speak Out’s newest column the ETHICS MAILBAG!

This issue... Testimonials

• Photos of individuals where intervention goals are discussed; • Interaction with reviews left on third party websites, such as White Coat, Google or Word of Mouth. Questions? We have some great resources on the Advertising Policy page in the Members’ ethics section of the SPA website, including a FAQ and a FREE webinar on Ethical and Effective Marketing of your private practice! Still have questions? Get in touch! August issue... Next issue we will continue the theme of social media and talk about posting photos of clients. Have a look at the scenario below and let us know; what are your thoughts on this? Do you do it? Why/why not? Scenario “I am in the process of starting up my own business, we have a website, and Facebook page and I’m thinking about an Instagram page too. I’d like to celebrate the individuals I work with and their achievements. What are my ethical responsibilities here?” Send your questions and hot topics to ethics@ speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Did you know that one of the most common misunderstandings about the SPA Advertising Policy is about Facebook ratings and reviews? Social media has changed the way we interact with each other, both personally and professionally. This has made us more personally linked with the people we provide professional services to, however, this is a more informal way of interacting than the way we might ordinarily engage if we were face-to-face. While it is nice to hear that we are doing a good job, asking for statements to this effect could put the individuals we work with in an uncomfortable position. It is likely they have an ongoing relationship with us, that they want to maintain, after all! Even if a testimonial is unsolicited, the person may change their mind over time, or your working relationship might be compromised by the individual wanting special treatment or favours in return. As speech pathologists we are accurate and truthful in our communication and the information we choose to make public. Since ratings and reviews on Facebook are based on opinions, not facts, they are not statements that are applicable to all clients. Testimonials could take a couple of different forms, apart from Facebook reviews, such as: • Quotes from emails, feedback forms, or similar, used to promote businesses; • Videos where individuals you work with discuss their experiences;

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June 2019 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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