Code of Ethics

Audiological Society of Australia
Amended April 1998
Incorporated in Victoria no A0029011Y

Copyright © 1997 Audiological Society of Australia Inc. Suite 7, 476 Canterbury Road, Forest Hill, VIC 3131.
1st printed March 1997
Re-printed November 1998

Code of Ethics amended April 1998
Code of Ethics amended November 2002

Section A: Relationship with Clients

Section B: Relationship with Other Members of the Society

Section C: Relationship with Other Professionals

Section D: Principles Relating to Employment in Organisations

Section E: Principles Relating to Research

Section F: Principles Relating to Printing and Publishing

Section G: Principles Relating to the Publication, Distribution and Use of Audiological Tests and Equipment

Section H: Code of Ethics Operating Procedures

Section A:
Relationship with Clients

1. A member must possess appropriate qualifications for the work he or she undertakes. Details of such qualifications are provided in the Society's membership requirements and as regards clinical services, in the Society's program of clinical certification.
   
   
2. The welfare of the client, students, research subjects and the public must take precedence over a member's self interest, or the interest of employers or colleagues.
   
   
3. Audiology assumes its professional responsibility in terms of appropriate management and care of the patient. All reasonable precaution must be taken to avoid injuries of any kind to patients.
   
   
4. As well as observing acceptable standards of professional behaviour, members should foster good intra-professional relationships.
   
   
5. Members should pursue and report their work with scientific honesty. They must refrain from offering or undertaking work or advice beyond their professional capacity.
   
   
6. Where there is evidence of a problem or condition with which the member is not competent to deal, it is essential that this is made clear to the client and that he or she be referred to an audiologist with appropriate qualifications, training and experience, or to an appropriate non-audiological specialist.
   
   
7. If a client has been referred, subsequent referral to other consultants must only be made in consultation with the referring source. A member who accepts clients without referrals from another professional must assume the responsibility for referrals he or she considers appropriate to the management of the case.
   
   
8. When a client indicates to a member that he or she would like a second opinion, the member must offer every practicable assistance to the client to obtain a competent second opinion.
   
   
9. A reasonable statement of prognosis relative only to audiological considerations may be made to a client, but a guarantee of any kind express or implied must not be given.
   
   
10. -
    1. A client is entitled to assume that a clinical or consulting relationship is confidential. If a departure from this principle is foreseen, the member must advise the client accordingly, making clear the Member's role.
       
       
    2. Client's permission must be obtained before passing on confidential information to another professional person or agency unless there is some overriding legal consideration.
       
       
    3. Alternatively, the nature of a consulting relationship or the setting in which it takes place may imply that the confidence will be shared by the professionals involved.
       
       
11. Members should not approve the use of persons inadequately trained in the techniques required, except when they are being trained in the use of such techniques under audiological supervision.
    
    
12. If a client takes part in a demonstration or research project, either in person or from recorded material, his or her anonymity must be respected. Consent of the client must be obtained for demonstration or research purposes, unless this is clearly implied by the clinical setting.
    
    
13. Advertising by members must not be misleading, and must not reflect unfavourably on fellow members of the profession.
    
    
14. Members must not accept fees or other payment from clients while employed by an agency at which the client may consult him/her free, unless the client freely chooses to consult the member privately.
    
    Members shall not refer patients to institutions or services in which they have a pecuniary interest, without first disclosing such interest.
    
    Members may not provide treatment or other Audiological services to clients, in their entirety, solely by correspondence or other non direct means. An exemption to this principle may be granted by the ethics committee should the particular circumstance(s) warrant a variation (2).
    
    Members shall not engage in sexual activities with clients or students over whom they exercise professional authority.
    
    Unless objectivity can be assured, members should refrain from treating immediate family members.
    
    Members must be prepared to discuss fees with their clients. Members are to establish their fees fairly considering their time, skill, experience and any special circumstances.
    
    
15. Any device recommended to a client, or to another professional for a client, must not be less suitable for the client than other available devices, taking into account the likely performance of the device, features of the device, the cost of the device to the client, and the preferences of the client.
    
    
16. Where the client is a minor or is considered incapable of action on his own behalf, a member after making every effort to respect the independence of the client, must regard his or her responsibility as directed to the parent, next of kin, or guardian as appropriate.
    
    
17. Members shall not deny treatment or service to any individual on the basis of their culture, political belief, family obligations, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation or the nature of their illness (1)
    

(1) Audiologists are not expected to place themselves at personal risk and dependent upon the particular circumstance, may therefore refer clients to other facilities appropriately equipped.
(2) In so stating the right to apply for an exemption the society is cognizant of technological change that may impinge upon the provision of services, other than by direct means, which may occur in an entirely satisfactory manner or that might not otherwise be possible, adequate or feasible in considering the range of alternatives.

Section B:
Relationship with Other Members of the Society
(ie Audiological Society of Australia)

18. If a member forms the opinion that a colleague is behaving unethically, he/she should first approach the colleague in a helpful way. If this is ineffective, the member must: a) warn the colleague of his/her intention to report the matter to the appropriate Branch Committee, and b) should it become necessary, proceed with this action in accordance with the provisions laid down by the Standards and Ethics Committee.
    
    
19. Should a member have cause to disagree with a colleague on professional issues, he/she must nevertheless refrain from criticising him/her in public or in a manner which casts doubt on his/her professional competence. This does not apply to critical evaluation of published works.
    
    
20. Members who choose to continue practice in any capacity while impaired by substance abuse or health issues that may adversely impinge upon their work are required to advise the ethics committee of their condition. The member is obliged to fully co-operate with the ASA in all and by any means necessary to ensure optimal care and safety of their clients and the general community.
    
    
21. A member who demonstrates audiological equipment to students must warn the students against using the equipment, except under appropriate supervision.

Section D:
Principles Relating to Employment in Organisations

27. The senior audiologist of an organisation employing audiologists must assume responsibility for information relating to the audiological services offered by the organisation.
    
    
28. Where a member enjoys full reciprocity of data with other professional co-workers, he/she must respect this trust in regard to his/her communications to clients and interested parties.
    

Section E:
Principles Relating to Research

29. Research must be conducted so that bias is not deliberately introduced into the planning, carrying out, or reporting of a research study.
    
    
30. When it is necessary for scientific purposes to conduct a study, subjects should be informed of its true purpose.
    
    
31. A member engaged in research in which there is a possibility of harmful effects to subjects must take steps to protect the subjects. Where effects are uncertain the member must obtain the subjects' consent to proceed with the investigation after informing them that risks may be involved.
    
    
32. Test results or other confidential data obtained in a research study must never be disclosed in situations or circumstances which might lead to identification of the subjects, unless their permission has been obtained.
    
    
33. A member must not use a position of authority to exert undue pressure on potential subjects for the purpose of securing their participation in a particular research project.
    
    
34. A member must draw the attention of any assistant under his/her supervision or direction to those parts of the Code which are relevant to his/her work. A member must give adequate supervision to ensure as far as possible that ethical principles are not contravened.
    
    Members conducting research involving human subjects shall obtain independent ethics committee approval and ensure participants give informed consent as appropriate.
    
    Members involved in research must not surrender editorial independence to any party.
    

Section F:
Principles Relating to Printing and Publishing

35. A member must not publish as his/her own work that which is not essentially his/her, or to which he/she has not made a significant contribution.
    
    
36. A member must not try to prevent the publication of a critical review of his/her work.
    
    
37. A member must not endorse favourably for personal or financial gain a work which he/she knows to be an inadequate treatment.
    
    
38. Confidential information about clients or subjects, which might lead to their identification, must not be published without their permission.
    
    
39. When writing, publishing or editing, a member should encourage the publication of material which advances the science of audiology or is of an educative nature.
    
    
40. The publication of an audiological test must be accompanied by a description of the rationale of the test data on reliability and validity, the limits of the applicability of the test, and adequate normative material.
    
    
41. In the sale, promotion, or demotion of any audiological product, members must not present as fact any claims for the performance of the product that have not been substantiated by accepted scientific methods.
    
    

Section G:
Principles Relating to the Publication, Distribution and Use of Audiological Tests and Equipment

42. Member statements to the public or to the media must be accurate and reflect contemporary practice.
    
    
43. Departures from contemporary audiological practice are to be clearly stated and must be accompanied by a scientific statement in support of the claim(s).
    
    

Section H:
Code of Ethics Operating Procedures

Initiation of Complaints

Should a member’s attempts to resolve an ethical issue with another member be unresolved the complainant may elect to notify the Ethics Committee of the Audiological Society of Australia of their concern(s).

Should a member of the public seek to complain regarding the ethics of a member of the Society the committee must first encourage the individual(s) to seek a resolution directly with each other.

The complainant must identify themselves to the ethics committee and the correspondence must be factual, signed and dated. The complainant should state their concerns as they relate to the Code of Ethics of the Society.

Preliminary Examination of Complaints

The ethics committee will initially examine the complaint to ascertain if the matter should be further investigated. Matters that do not relate to ethical breaches cannot be considered by the ethics committee. Complaints that do not pass the initial examination lapse and are expunged from Society records.

Should the committee be satisfied that a possible breach of the code of ethics has arisen the member who is the subject of the complaint shall be informed and invited to respond in writing.

Management of Requests for Anonymity

Anonymity requests will not be approved for complainants who are also members of the Society.

In situations where anonymity is sought by a complainant who is not a member of the society the ethics committee will determine if the matter can be adequately investigated with such a constraint. Should this not be possible the ethics committee will seek a signed waiver of confidentiality from the complainant.

The ethics committee may assume the role of the complainant thus ensuring the original complainant's confidentiality and which also allows the investigation to proceed. If the Society does not elect to assume the role of the complainant the complaint lapses and the records are to be expunged of the particular complaint.

The Preliminary Determination of Complaint and Proposed Penalty

The ethics committee having considered the response and having sought any further relevant information will then issue a preliminary determination, including the proposed penalty. The member will also be advised of their rights to seek reconsideration within 30 days of the preliminary determination notification. Penalties will not apply until after the reconsideration period has lapsed or until the reconsideration is concluded.

Reconsiderations may only be heard once.

Dismissal of Complaints

Should a complaint be dismissed the parties will be advised accordingly and the matter is closed. Dismissed complaints will be expunged from the official records of the Society within 18 months of the initial complaint.

Administrative Powers of the Ethics Subcommittee

The ethics committee is empowered to make such internal administrative arrangements as it sees fit in the interests of fairness and natural justice to all parties.

Penalties available for Upheld complaints

The penalties available to the committee are one or more of the following:

-private admonishment and counselling,
-public admonishment via publication of its determination in an official publication of the Society,
-cease and desist orders,
-full or partial redress to the complainant,
-apology to the complainant,
-further training directions,
-suspension of membership for a defined period,
-expulsion from the Society.