4 Ethics in clinical psychology PDF

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Alex Fowke...

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04-02-18 Clinical psychologists: code of ethics and conduct Learning outcomes - Understand ethical issues that can arise for clinical psychologists in the context of clinical practice - Understand the process of ethical decision-making - To be aware of professional guidelines and other documents relating to ethics and professional boundaries - To have considered, discussed and reflected on boundary/closure issues in general clinical practice and from specific clinical work experience as a trainee - To have considered the ethical use of social media Healthcare and professions council (HCPC): Guidance on conduct and ethics for students 1. Promote and protect the interests of service users and carers 2. Communicate appropriately and effectively 3. Work within the limits of your knowledge and skills 4. Delegate appropriately 5. Respect confidentiality 6. Manage risk 7. Report concerns about safety 8. Be open when things go wrong 9. Be honest & trustworthy 10. Keep records of your work with service users and carers Ethics: Areas of concern - Areas of ethical concern include: - Multiple relationships - Where the psychologist owes an allegiance to several different stakeholders - Personal relationships - Where the psychologist infringes or violates the trust of a client of clients - (You should not engage casually with former patient for at least 2 years after treatment and they must be psychologically well - this is no longer a strict “rule,” more of a guideline) - Unclear or inadequate standards of practice - Where the psychologist is unaware of or disregards the current systems in use by peers or others in similar work - Breaches of confidentiality - Where rules and constraints were broken or not clarified in advance with stakeholders - Competence - Where excessive or misleading claims are made of where inadequate safeguards

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and monitoring exist for new areas of work Health problems affecting performance or conduct Bringing the profession or the society into disrepute - Cannot do things that would make the profession of a psychologist look bad

Ethics in practice - When faced with an ethical conflict, professionals tend to think in terms of formal codes of ethics and relevant legal guidelines in determining what they should do - But they are more likely to respond to personal values and practical considerations in determining what they actually would do if faced with this situation Ethical decision making - Identify the relevant issues: - What are the parameters of the situation? - Is there research evidence that might be relevant? - What legal guidance exists? - What do peers advise? - Is there guidance available from the HCPC or other relevant bodies? - Use the Code of Ethics & Conduct to identify the principles involved - Generate the alternative decisions preferably with others to act as a sounding board - Establish a cost/risk benefit analysis to include both short- and long-term consequences - Make the decision after checking that the reasoning behind it is logical, lucid, and consistent Document the process of decision making - Assume responsibility and monitor any outcomes - Learn from the process for yourself, for others & for the Society Structure of BPS code of conduct - The BPS Code of Conduct is based on four principles: - RESPECT: - Psychologists value the dignity and worth of all persons, with sensitivity to the dynamics of perceived authority or influence over clients, and with particular regard to people’s rights including those of privacy and self determination - COMPETENCE: - Psychologists value the continuing development and maintenance of high standards of competence in their professional work, and the importance of preserving their ability to function optimally within the recognised limits of their knowledge, skill, training, education, and experience - RESPONSIBILITY: - Psychologists value their responsibilities to clients, to the general public, and to the profession and science of Psychology, including the avoidance of harm and the prevention of misuse or abuse of their contributions to society

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INTEGRITY: - Psychologists value honesty, accuracy, clarity, and fairness in their interactions with all persons, and seek to promote integrity in all facets of their scientific and professional endeavours

Physical touch in psychological therapy - Touch in therapy is not inherently unethical - None of the professional organisations view touch as unethical - Touch increases therapeutic alliance and has many healing qualities - Meaning of touch varies across both culture and the individual - National survey of 285 therapists - Over 50% respondents reported hugging clients - Over 25% reported holding hands with clients - More than 1 in 10 reported flirting...