Council for Homeopathic Certification
http://www.homeopathicdirectory.com/
Code of Professional Ethics
The Council for Homeopathic Certification (CHC) considers the following
principles to be guides to the ethical practice of homeopathy, and
to be morally binding on all homeopaths:
Ideals
The homeopath’s high and only calling is to restore the
sick to health—to heal, as it is termed—as defined by
Samuel Hahnemann in the Organon.
Interactions with Patients/Clients
Conduct the homeopathic practice with vigilance, integrity, and
freedom from prejudice, and treat all patients with respect and
dignity. Make every appropriate effort to be available and accessible
to ill patients requiring assistance. Never guarantee a cure, by
spoken word or in writing.
Assist patients in weighing the possible benefits and risks of
other (nonhomeopathic) types of treatment, helping them to
consider conventional diagnostic procedures, routine screening tests,
and therapies—acknowledging the usefulness of such procedures
at appropriate times, even for those who may wish to avoid conventional
treatment.
Render assistance to patients in emergency situations, to the greatest
extent permitted by training and circumstances.
Practice within areas of competence. Consult with colleagues,
or refer clients to other practitioners, in any situation involving
conflict, inadequate training, or personal limitation—such
as, but not limited to, any of the following:
• When any aspect of the patient’s case requires greater
experience, training, or skill than the practitioner can offer.
• When there is a need for diagnostic tests or procedures
beyond the capacity of the homeopath
• When the homeopath’s care is not providing reasonable
and timely resolution of the patient’s health problems.
• When circumstances arise which create a conflict between
the homeopath’s personal and professional relationship with
the patient
• If a homeopath’s competence or judgment is impaired
by physical or mental incapacity, or chemical dependency
Keep full and accurate records of all contacts with patients,
including individual data such as name, address, phone number, date
of birth, and case data such as medical history, dates and details
of consultations, and summary of recommendations made.
Exercise appropriate discretion in the wording of any advertisements;
practitioners who are not medically licensed with authority to diagnose
and treat in the state/province where they practice should carefully
avoid any reference to medical diagnoses or diagnostic tests, and
focus on establishment of health rather than resolution of disease.
Use a disclosure/informed consent form which clearly and accurately
identifies your training, credentials, skills and nature of your
work; ensure that each client signs this form which becomes a part
of the client documentation.
Interactions within the Profession
Honor the homeopathic profession, its history and traditions.
Each practitioner’s words and actions reflect upon the profession
as a whole.
Speak respectfully about fellow practitioners, both homeopathic
and in other fields acknowledging differences in styles of practice
and training in a constructive way, whether in public or with patients.
Continue personal and professional development by undertaking
further study, conferring with colleagues, and seeking greater understanding
of homeopathic theory and practice, and supporting other homeopaths
in that goal. Promote the art and science of homeopathy through
appropriate research.
If conducting homeopathic research, give substances used in provings
only to those individuals who have an understanding of the nature
of the proving process, and who have volunteered, with written consent,
to participate. Consider any person involved in experimental provings
or other studies to be the researcher’s patient; be guided
by the welfare of each person, and the moral imperative that the
homeopath’s only calling
is to help make sick people well. Report research findings and clinical
experience methodically, honestly, and without distortion. Identify
any speculative theories clearly as such. Carefully honor the confidentiality
of all patients whose cases are used in published articles, case
conference presentations, or training lectures.
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