Speak Out June 2020

Ethics

This month for the Ethics Mailbag, instead of discussing one issue in depth, we are looking at the most frequently asked questions that we have heard from members during the COVID-19 pandemic. What are my ethical obligations regarding telepractice? The question that comes up most commonly is around the suitability of a particular client for intervention delivered via telepractice. While there is no blanket answer here the ‘Ethical Decision Making Worksheet’ and ‘Risk Assessment Framework’ can assist in making the choice to suspend services, continue with face to face or begin telepractice services. These resources can be found on Speech Pathology Australia’s website, along with a number of other documents addressing the issues and questions we are most commonly asked. Investigating the privacy features of a platform is essential to ensure that you understand the risk that this platform poses, and what options are available to you if a data breach were to occur. This is also imperative when seeking fully informed, written consent from participants. Clients need to understand their privacy rights when consenting to use a telepractice platform, including what information about them is sorted by the platform and what will be done with that information. Additionally, clients need to be informed about the evidence base of delivering their particular intervention via telepractice and the possibility that this might not be effective, or might not be the most effective way to provide the intervention they need. I am concerned about the drop in hours and clients that has occurred, what can I do to make sure my income is stable? Many members have been considering offering discounted services in an attempt to ensure they have a stable client base and a steady income longer-term. The Advertising Policy outlines what needs to be considered when making a decision like this one. We understand that members are concerned about The platform for members to write in with questions and thoughts on anything ethics related! The ETHICS MAILBAG!

preserving their income and being sensitive to the hardships of their clients, or potential clients; however, without sufficient clarity in advertising there might be misunderstandings further down the line. A stakeholder is unhappy with a choice I have made about how services are delivered, what are my obligations here? This question has been asked quite frequently, most commonly from parents and caregivers wanting to continue, or resume face-to-face services. As was outlined in the article by Trish Johnson on the previous page, documentation of decision making is key. It will be helpful both for you and for those effected by your choice to understand what the key factors were, when you made this decision. For example, some members may have made the decision to move to telepractice based on their own personal circumstances, if providing face to face services puts them at higher risk, they might make the decision to remain delivering services only via telepractice until the risk is lower. If this has been documented, and clearly explained to the effected parties, this can be an appropriate decision. However, other members may feel comfortable returning to face-to-face services, in which case documenting this decision making process would be appropriate so that everyone understands what options are available to them, and when. We now have the opportunity to develop a clear "transition" plan that can be created through consideration of all relevant factors, with the time and space that we perhaps didn’t have the when initially making these decisions. If you have an ethics question you'd like answered please send it to ethics@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au. Nadia Marussinszky

Ethics Advisor Trish Johnson Manager Ethics and Professional Issues

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June 2020 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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