American Occupational Therapy Code Of Ethics

A code of ethics is something that every person should have. We all do, but most don’t write it down or even know we have one. A code of ethic is designed to guide you on what is right and wrong with in your world and choices. Many companies or organizations create specific codes for members or employees to follow; this allows affiliates to see directly and specifically the guidelines they need to follow. The code also gives way to specify if there is misconduct or transgression with no discrepancy. The American Occupational Therapy Association created a code to help guide its members into being outstanding therapists for their patients. The American Occupational Therapy Association Code of Ethics (2015) states that “the Code helps guide and

Equality, dignity, freedom and altruism can be grouped into the personal side; justice, truth and prudence can be grouped by the lawful side. The personal values are about how a client shall be treated with respect, concern and without bias. It also relates to the choices the client has and the options they can pick from. The Lawful qualities of the code relate to what the court has to say concerning malpractice and the patients wellbeing. All are important to merge together to create a practice of accurate information, inclusion and correct honorable choices. These values relate more to the therapist’s actions and their choices while the personal side has more to deal with the respect of the patient and their comfort. While both sides are critical to the practice of occupational therapy, both must be combined to create the perfect mixture of security for both the patient and

These are “beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, justice, veracity and fidelity,” (American 2015). These are to help with the therapist and the decisions they must make. The first standard flows along next to altruism. They both explain the importance of concern for the client and their care. However, beneficence can go into more depth about how the therapist must work the pace the client wishes and to evaluate in a timely manner. The code states that beneficence is “to ensure proficiency, use careful judgment, and weigh potential for harm,” (p. 3). Nonmaleficence covers the conduct of not bringing unsafe practice to your patient or facility. Whether it is your own personal therapy or another coworker’s, causing injury or exploitation is against everything of the Code and the Association and must be brought to the attention of the correct authorities to be taken care of. Autonomy, the third principle, conveys the view “that practitioners have a duty to treat the client according to the client’s desires, within the bounds of accepted standards of care, and to protect the client’s confidential information,” (American 2015). This idea is summed up by the thought of “self-determination,” (p. 4) meaning the therapist must respectably listen to the patients need and decisions as well as complying to them if it is within the principles of care outlined in the Code (p.4-5). HIPPA laws also come