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Code of Ethics: Our Core Values in Action...Code of Ethics: Our Core Values in Action Megan Whelan,...
Transcript of Code of Ethics: Our Core Values in Action...Code of Ethics: Our Core Values in Action Megan Whelan,...
Code of Ethics: Our Core
Values in Action
Megan Whelan, Ph.D., R.D.N., C.D.N.
D'Youville College
Program Objectives
At the end of the session, audience members will be able to:
Locate the Academy/CDR Code of Ethics from the Academy
website
State the function and purpose of the Academy/CDR Code of
Ethics
Describe the ways in which the Academy/CDR Code of Ethics
guide values and ethics in nutrition and dietetic practice
Identify the ethical obligations dietetics practitioners hold to the
public, clients, colleagues, and the profession
Discuss the steps to approach ethical-decision making using the Academy/CDR Code of Ethics
Definitions
Morals
Substrate to distinguish between right and wrong
Moral values
Beliefs and behaviors that we judge others by
Ethics
Analyzing our moral values in seeking a decision on how to act
Professional Ethics
Moral principles of a profession
(Boyce, 2017; Macrina, 2011)
Positionality
We best serve ourselves and society by holding ourselves to the highest ethical standards and using science-based decisions to guide our practice
Our practice is human in nature and is affected by our culture, experiences, and opinions
A culture of nutrition and dietetics practice exists and influences our opinions and insights
View of ethical behavior vary
Gut feelings influence interpretation of events
"No formal code can fully guide...[our] personal judgment for all situations" (Sauer, 2016, p. 148).
Code of Ethics for the Nutrition and
Dietetics Profession
Effective June 1, 2018
Code applies to:
All nutrition and dietetics practitioners
Members of the Academy (credentialed or
not)
Accept or maintain CDR credentials
Four Key Principles of Ethical Theory
1. Autonomy
Individuals have capacity to engage in decision-making
2. Beneficence
Benefit others
3. Non-maleficence
Intent not to inflict harm
4. Justice
Fair, equitable, appropriate treatment for all individuals
Nutrition and Dietetics Practitioners:
Key Principles
1. Competence and professional development in practice
(Non-maleficence)
2. Integrity in personal and organizational behaviors and
practices (Autonomy)
3. Professionalism (Beneficence)
4. Social responsibility for local, regional, national, global
nutrition and well-being (Justice)
Purpose of the Code of Ethics
Establish the principles and ethical standards of professional
practice and conduct
Reflect the core values: customer focus, integrity, innovation, social responsibility, and diversity
Primary Goal:
Protect individuals, groups, organizations, communities or
populations
Obligated to report perceived violations
Meet the guidelines for the accrediting agency for the CDR
Accessing the Code
Academy Website - https://www.eatrightpro.org/practice/code-of-
ethics/what-is-the-code-of-ethics
CDR Ethics Requirement - https://www.cdrnet.org/news/ethics-
requirements-for-recertification
Steps to Approach Ethical
Decision-MakingFornari, A. (2015). Approaches to ethical decision-making, Journal of
the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 115(1), 119-121.
Step 1: State ethical dilemma
Is it an ethical issue?
Specific to one of the Principles and Standards
Is it a business issue?
A business dispute, breach of a contractual obligation,
billing/contract dispute
Is it a legal issue?
State or federal law violation
Is it an employment issue?
Addressed by employer's policies and resolved in workplace
Is it a personal issue?
Step 2: Apply the Code of Ethics
1. Competence and professional development in practice (Non-
maleficence)
8 principles
2. Integrity in personal and organizational behaviors and practices
(Autonomy)
9 principles
3. Professionalism (Beneficence)
9 principles
4. Social responsibility for local, regional, national, global nutrition and
well-being (Justice)
6 principles
Step 3: Select the Best Alternative to
Resolve the Dilemma
Reflect upon:
What influence may impact your decision?
How do alternative solutions align with your values and the values of
your institution?
Are you able to confidently defend your decision using the Academy's
Code, the Standards of Professional Practice, to other nutrition and
dietetics professionals?
How will your decision affect others?
Step 4: Develop Strategies to
Implement Resolution
Use the Standards of Professional Performance as a
guide
Action to address the dilemma:
Education, training, development of professional
guidelines, policies and procedures
Step 5: Evaluate and Minimize Future
Occurrence
Monitor outcome to determine if your resolution worked
Do you have specific strategies to prevent a similar issue
for occurring?
Ethics Complaints and Violations
Academy/CDR Disciplinary and Ethics Complaints Policy
A fair system to deal with complaints about practitioners
from peers or from the public
Alleged violation of the Code of Ethics for the Profession
of Dietetics reported via complaint form
https://www.eatrightpro.org/practice/code-of-
ethics/what-is-the-code-of-ethics/ethics-complaints-and-
violations
Application to Practice
Scenario 1: Professional Boundaries in Practice (Adapted
from Nelkin, 2015)
A client visits his RDN to follow a healthful diet. He knows he could "lose some weight" but his current stated goal is to "start eating
better foods." The RDN interrupts the client while he is sharing his
personal goal and suggests he should also consider a weight loss
goal. The RDN then shares a list of foods that "most people like,"
describes her personal view of how "all people should eat like me."
She then sets a goal of weight loss of 5 pounds by the next visit.
Application to Practice
Scenario 2: Management Practice (Sauer, 2016, p. 148)
A newly hired and overwhelmed clinical nutrition manager is
forecasting enteral nutrition formulary costs for the next budget cycle. While informally contacting product suppliers, the manager
learns that the representative from a specific supplier is also a well-
respected personal acquaintance. New to her role, she assumes
that the annual formulary costs represent a small percentage of the
operating budget; thus, she makes a hasty decision to purchase
products from her personal acquaintance without further
evaluation.
Application to Practice
Scenario 3: Business Practice (Academy, 2009, p. 13)
A RDN is reading blogs posted by colleagues in dietetics. He finds
nutrition misinformation written by an RDN; her posting is not in agreement with a non-government organization's
recommendations and current scientific evidence. He is familiar
with the topic because he consults for a food company that relies
on the current scientific information to support their brand
messages. He knows that the RDN is incorrect and perpetuating
myths, but he worries that it could also be a conflict of interest for
him to correct the RDN on the blog.
Application to Practice
Scenario 4: Social Media (Nelkin, 2015, p. 977)
A patient sees her RDN on Facebook and "friends" him. The RDN
accepts the invitation since he gets along well with his patient during counseling sessions.
New York State:
Certified Dietitian Nutritionist
Unprofessional conduct for health professions defined
Examples: not accurately representing self; not using
evidence-based therapy; harming a patient
Complaint Hot Line
More information can be found
at http://www.op.nysed.gov/title8/part29.htm#waived
Conclusion
Ethics issues are complicated and are connected to legal, personal,
and political issues
Code of Ethics used as a framework
Focus is on education and remediation and self-monitoring
Every member and credentialed practitioner is responsible to
uphold the Code of Ethics
Be familiar with the Code and the value it brings to protecting the
public and the profession
References
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2018). What is the Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.eatrightpro.org/practice/code-of-ethics/what-is-the-code-of-ethics
Boyce, B. (2017). The balance of professional ethics. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 117(7), 1120-1123.
Fornari, A. (2015). Approaches to ethical decision-making. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 115(1), 119-121.
Macrina, F.L. (2014). Scientific integrity: Text and cases in responsible conduct of research. Washington, D.C.
Nelkin, M.B. (2015). Professional boundary issues in practice. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 115(6), 975-977.
Sauer, K. (2016). Ethics in action: Ethical considerations in management practice. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(1), 148-149.