Canadian Society of Homeopaths


CODES OF ETHICS, CONDUCT, AND PRACTICE

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This document outlines the basic principles of responsible conduct that are required of members of the Canadian Society of Homeopaths.  The Appendices will be completed shortly and copies will be made available to all Registered and Associate members.



I.  Fundamental Principles

All Members of the Canadian Society of Homeopaths agree to observe the Fundamental Principles of respect, honesty, and courtesy in order to maintain the integrity, dignity, and credibility of the art and science of homeopathy.




II.  Codes of Professional Conduct


Introduction:

The Codes of Professional Conduct, including Appendices and any future amendments, provide a framework to establish and support a standard of professionalism that promotes integrity and responsibility in the Practice of Homeopathy in Canada.

As a condition of membership, it is the responsibility of all Registered Members of the Canadian Society of Homeopaths to be familiar with the content of these Codes and to agree in writing to observe and comply with the conditions contained within, including any future additions or amendments.



A. Guiding Principles of Ethical Practice

All Registered members of the Canadian Society of Homeopaths shall be guided by the following principles:

1.  The homeopath’s highest and only calling is to restore the health of the individual.

2.  The homeopath shall act in a manner that respects the health, welfare, and well-being of the patient.

3.  The homeopath shall communicate with respect and compassion while working with and encouraging the patient’s journey towards health.

4.  The homeopath shall observe the highest standards of respect, integrity, and dignity in the practice of their profession and their conduct towards patient and colleague alike.




B. General Principles of Professional Conduct

1.0   Responsibility to the Patient

1.01
The homeopath shall have a sincere commitment to providing the highest standards of care to the patient.

1.02
The homeopath shall recognize and encourage the patient to take responsibility for their own healing.

1.03
The homeopath shall at all times respect the wishes of the patient concerning treatment.

1.04
The homeopath shall communicate information regarding health and healing in a clear and understandable manner and may direct the patient to further information in order to encourage informed choice.

1.05
The homeopath shall respect and observe the professional boundaries required by the healthcare and teaching professions, avoiding any situation that exploits that position of influence to the benefit of themselves or a colleague and/or any inappropriate personal, sexual, or financial interaction with patients or students.  Only after the professional relationship has concluded, and with the full agreement and understanding of both parties, may any other kind of relationship be contemplated.

1.06
The homeopath shall recognize his/her own limitations in the treatment and prevention of dis-ease and shall discuss other options for treatment with the patient when deemed appropriate.



2.0   Confidentiality and Release of Confidential Information

2.01
The homeopath shall hold as confidential any information communicated by the patient or colleagues, including case history, case file, and any written case notes, except as follows:

i)    In response to a valid court order;

ii)    In an emergency or other dangerous situation, where in the professional opinion of the homeopath and based on legal advice pertaining to the provincial jurisdiction, the information may assist in prevention of possible injury to the patient or to another person, such as if there is reasonable suspicion of child or elder abuse or that that the patient presents danger to him or herself or to others.  See Legal Guidelines: Appendix C.

iii)   With the informed and signed consent of the patient as to the nature and extent of the disclosure for purposes of education, publication, research, and consultation with other homeopaths or health professionals.  See Intake and Consent Forms: Appendix B.

2.02
The homeopath shall ensure security of all records: all patient files containing notes, forms, and other papers shall be kept in a locked filing cabinet and all electronic files shall be fully password-protected.

2.03
The homeopath shall not communicate in any form or release to a third party any information contained in the patient case records or obtained within the practitioner/patient relationship, without the informed and signed consent of the patient as to the nature and extent of the disclosure.See  Intake and Consent Forms: Appendix B.

2.04
The homeopath shall obtain informed and signed consent from the patient in order to make use of any part of the patient’s case history, notes, or file for the purposes of teaching, publishing, or research.  See Intake and Consent Forms: Appendix B.

2.05
Any patient information released for the purposes of teaching, publication, research, shall be presented in a way that respects the integrity and ensures the anonymity of the patient.  See Intake and Consent Forms: Appendix B.




C. General Principles of Practice

All Registered members of the Canadian Society of Homeopaths accept that Homeopathy is a distinct and complete system of medicine that is practiced as both an art and a science and that the treatment of patients shall be based on the teachings of Samuel Hahnemann in the Organon of Medicine.


3.0   Scope of Practice

3.01
The homeopath shall refrain from making any promises or guarantees as to the results of the remedy or the treatment.

3.02
The homeopath shall inform the patient that the goal of homeopathy is to strengthen the constitution thereby improving the overall state of health.

3.03
The homeopath shall advise the patient to maintain a relationship with their primary healthcare physician and to consult with him/her on matters of diagnosis, medical testing, and annual physical exams.

3.04
The homeopath shall refrain from making statements that would indicate a diagnosis of disease.

3.05
The homeopath shall avoid conducting a physical examination of a patient or giving injections unless they are licensed to do so in the province of practice.



4.0   Responsible Representation

4.01
The homeopath shall make clear the exact nature of their training and qualifications in homeopathy, and explain that homeopathy is a separate and distinct discipline not to be confused with allopathic or conventional medicine, and which requires different training.

4.02
The homeopath shall acknowledge and clarify the relevant qualifications of any additional professional expertise that may be utilized in conjunction with the homeopathic consultation.

4.03
The homeopath shall avoid representing themselves, an assistant, or an associate as a medical professional (e.g., MD, ND, DO, RN, etc.), unless they are licensed as such in the province of practice, and shall correct others who may misuse titles restricted to medical professions.

4.04
The homeopath shall make reasonable efforts to communicate to the patient any changes in the homeopath’s practice that would affect treatment or would require referral of patients to another homeopath, such as relocation, incapacitating illness, retirement, or any other alteration in office arrangements.



5.0   Responsibility to the Integrity of Homeopathy

5.01
As a member of a noble profession, the homeopath has been entrusted with a responsibility to honour and uphold the traditions and values upon which homeopathy has been founded and to maintain the integrity and respect of the homeopathic profession and other members of the homeopathic community.

5.02
The homeopath shall not disparage or communicate disrespectfully to or about a fellow homeopath, either publicly or to patients or students.

5.03
The homeopath shall not disparage publicly any other medical profession or its practitioners.

5.04
The homeopath shall set a reasonable and responsible value on the services that s/he provides.

5.05
The homeopath shall not attract business unfairly or unprofessionally or in any way that would discredit the reputation of the homeopathic profession.

5.06
The homeopath shall endeavour to support and assist other homeopaths and students in their studies.

5.07
The homeopath shall clearly acknowledge and credit the ideas and work of another colleague.

5.08
The homeopath shall not sign any misleading or false statements, certificates, or reports.



6.0   Responsibility to the Advancement of Homeopathic Knowledge and Practice

6.01
The homeopath shall continuously advance personal and professional development by undertaking further training and study; or by participating in teaching, mentoring, writing, provings; or through volunteer activities to further the interests of the Society and the homeopathic community.

6.02
For the purpose of a homeopathic proving, the homeopath shall involve only those individuals who have volunteered, who clearly understand the nature of the proving process, and who have signed a written consent to that effect.  See Intake and Consent Forms: Appendix B.

6.03
The homeopath shall report all research findings and clinical experiences methodically, honestly, and without distortion, and to clearly distinguish speculative theories as such.

6.04
Undertake continuing personal and professional development to enhance his/her standards of practice.




III.  Appendices

Appendix A:  Record-Keeping Guidelines
Appendix B:  Intake and Consent Forms
Appendix C:  Legal Guidelines
Appendix D:  Glossary