Speak Out October 2020 DIGITAL EDITION FINAL

Ethics

The 2020 Code of Ethics What you need to know in five questions!

What is new? There is new and expanded content to reflect a focus on human rights and that, by taking a person-centered centred approach in their professional work, speech pathologists demonstrate respect for all diversity. However, much of the content will also be familiar to members, and it has been streamlined to ensure members know where to look for information that will guide their decision making. In addition to this, the new look and format is designed to ensure members can use the Code of Ethics to help make everyday ethical choices and to ensure that members have the resources and informational supports to consider all issues and come to the decision that is right for the situation. These resources include FAQs, self-audit tools, definitions and external links. How should it be used? Speech pathologists make decisions everyday that involve ethical issues so consulting the Code of Ethics should be second nature when coming across an everyday ethical dilemma. Members can either navigate directly to the section in the Code on the SPA website look at the resources that are associated with it, if they know. Or, If they aren’t sure where this is, the flipping book has a search feature, put the key phrase into this and read the sections it brings up then pick the section and resources

that best fit the individual context and need. How will it help in daily practice? We all face situations and have ethical dilemmas everyday that require us to make ethical choices, these may range from a simple decision about record keeping to a complex situation about separated parents. For these and everything in between there are resources designed to help make informed, and ethically appropriate choices. These will be updated, and new resources will be generated as needed, so members are encouraged to contact Speech Pathology Australia if they have requests or suggestions. Where can it be found? The 2020 Code of Ethics is available as text on our website, or a flipbook/PDF, which are best for printing it or downloading a copy. Look for it under the ethics tab on the SPA website. Still have questions? We are happy to speak with members further about the Code of Ethics, these resources or help problem solve any ethical decisions members are facing. Contact us ethics@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Trish Johnson Manager Ethics and Professional Issues

Code of ethics

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October 2020 | Speak Out