North American Society of Homeopaths
http://www.homeopathy.org
Code of Ethics and Rules
of Practice
This code applies to Registered Members of the North
American Society of Homeopaths.
Its purpose is to establish and maintain standards of practice of Homeopathy
by encouraging integrity and responsibility in the practice of homeopathy.
It involves having regard for the needs of patients/clients seeking
homeopathic treatment, the reputation and advancement of homeopathy
and the development of understanding among homeopaths. It is important
for the health and growth of our profession that we honor our teachers,
our history and our traditions. It is also important that we attend
to our own health and well-being as well as our continued growth
and professional development.
1.0 Responsibility to Patients/Clients
1.01 The highest standards are to be observed in
the conduct and care of the patient/client.
1.02 All patients/clients are to be treated with
respect, dignity and freedom from prejudice.
1.03 The homeopath owes loyalty to her patient and
should have regard for his/her wishes.
1.04 The homeopath shall encourage their patients/clients
to take increasing responsibility for their own healing and learning
as and where appropriate.
2.0 Confidentiality
2.01 The homeopath shall keep full records of each
patient. See Record Keeping Guidelines: Appendix C. All records
shall be kept in a secure locked and confidential space at all times,
access being restricted to the homeopath and his/her assistants.
All records shall be kept for a minimum of ten years.
2.02 The homeopath shall not communicate in any
form the contents of the patient/client case records or any information
obtained within the practitioner/patient relationship, except as
follows:
(a) in response to a valid court order
(b) in an emergency or other dangerous situations
where, in the opinion of the homeopath, the information may assist
in the prevention of possible injury to the patient or to another
person. Disclosure may be required where
1. there is reasonable suspicion of child or elder
abuse
2. there is a reasonable suspicion that the patient
presents a danger to him or herself or to others.
(c) where the patient has consented in writing
to the nature and extent of the disclosure. See General Consent
Form: Appendix D.
2.03 Written consent must be obtained from the
patient in order to consult with another colleague, i.e. health
care practitioner or homeopath (in a general rather than a specific
capacity). This is covered by the General Consent Form.
2.04 The homeopath shall not make or sign any false
or misleading certificates or reports. No report shall be given
to a third party without the consent of the patient concerned.
2.05 Written consent must be obtained form the patient
in order to consult with the patient/client’s other health care
practitioners. See Authorization for Release of Information:
Appendix E.
2.06 The homeopath shall honor the confidentiality
of all patients/clients whose cases are used in published articles,
case conference presentations, or training lectures (by withholding/changing
names and all identifying details). A written consent form must
be obtained from the patient/client in order to teach, present
or publish any part of a patient/client’s case history (written/video)
See Authorization to Publish or Teach: Appendix F.
3.00 Scope of Practice
3.01 Where the homeopath considers that the treatment
is beyond his/her capacity or skill, the patient with the homeopath’s
consent shall refer to or consult with a homeopathic colleague or
appropriate health care practitioner.
3.02 The professional homeopath is obliged to advise
their patient/client to maintain a relationship with his/her primary
health care physician.
3.03 The homeopath shall not exaggerate the gravity
of a patient/client’s condition nor make any promise as to the result
of the treatment, to the patient or to anyone else.
3.04 Each patient must be informed that the goal
of the professional homeopath is to help strengthen the constitution
and thereby raise the general level of health of the patient/client.
It is not to treat any particular disease or condition but to stimulate
the vital force. See General Consent Form.
3.05 Assistance shall be rendered to patients/clients
in emergency situations to the extent permitted by the training
and circumstances of the homeopath.
3.06 The homeopath shall make clear to the patient
the exact nature of their training and credentials in any adjunct
therapies that may be appropriate in addressing the patient/client’s
needs.
3.07 A homeopath may not make a physical, medical
examination of a patient/client unless trained and licensed to do
so in the state in which he/she practices. A physical, medical
examination of a child under 16, if required, must be carried
out in the presence of a parent/guardian (responsible adult).
4.00 Professional Conduct and Representation
4.01 The homeopath shall not use the title “Doctor”
so as to falsely represent that he/she is a registered medical doctor
unless licensed as an MD, DO, ND, DC, OMD, etc., by the state in
which he/she practices. An assistant shall not be referred to as
a nurse unless he/she is licensed by the Nursing Licensing Board
of the state.
4.02 Clear boundaries need to be observed by both
parties to a therapeutic relationship. A homeopath shall not engage
in any sexual activity with a patient/client under his/her care.
Only after the formal or therapeutic relationship has been concluded,
with full agreement and understanding on both sides, may any other
kind of relationship be contemplated.
4.03 On deciding to retire or move from a practice,
the homeopath shall inform all patients/clients of his/her intention
do so and of any arrangements made for the transfer of the practice
to another homeopathic practitioner.
5.00 Responsibility to the Practice of Homeopathy
5.01 The professional homeopath is responsible for
his/her continuing personal and professional development by undertaking
further training and study, conferring with colleagues and acquiring
knowledge of new theories and practices. See Continuing Education
Credits: Appendix A.
5.02 The homeopath shall promote the art and science
of homeopathy through appropriate research.
5.03 The homeopath shall administer a substance,
for the purpose of a homeopathic proving, only to those individuals
who have volunteered and understood the nature of the proving process.
Each volunteer shall sign a written consent to that effect. See
Consent to Participate in a Proving: Appendix G.
5.04 The homeopath shall report all research findings
and clinical experiences methodically, honestly and without distortion.
All speculative theories shall be stated as such and clearly distinguished.
5.05 A homeopath shall not seek to attract business
unfairly and unprofessionally, in any way which could discredit
the reputation of homeopathic practice. See Standards of Practice
Guidelines: Appendix B.
6.00 Responsibility to Maintaining the Integrity of the Professional
Community
6.01 The honor and reputation of the homeopathic
profession comes from the integrity and respect that is maintained
by each member of the homeopathic community towards each other.
6.02 The homeopath shall not disparage or speak
disrespectfully of any fellow practitioner, homeopathic or otherwise,
in public, or to patients/clients, or students.
6.03 We are obliged to stand up for the practice
of good, classical homeopathy and to express a concern about the
use of high dilutions (homeopathic medicines/remedies) that are
not according to Hahnemannian principles (without disparaging any
person or persons).
6.04 Homeopaths shall support and assist each other in their study and practice.
6.05 In writing or speaking, if the homeopath is
aware that he/she is directly using a colleague’s ideas, he/she
shall reference these accordingly and give due respect to his/her
fellow homeopaths.
6.06 In the case of a patient transferring from
one homeopath to another, it is the responsibility of the new homeopath
to advise and encourage the client/patient to inform their former
homeopath. The homeopath shall obtain records from the previous
homeopath with permission from the patient/client. See Authorization
for Release of Information.
6.07 A homeopath is responsible for assuming an
influential position as a teacher or mentor and must interact with
students appropriately. He/she shall avoid any fraternization which
exploits that position of influence.
6.08 Clear boundaries need to be observed by both
parties during a teach student association. A homeopath shall not
engage in any sexual activity with a student under his/her tutelage
or supervision. Only after a formal relationship has concluded,
with full agreement and understanding on both sides, may any other
kind of relationship be contemplated.
6.09 Where a professional homeopath has a good reason
to believe that a fellow homeopath has acted irresponsibly or has
any complaint whatsoever about him/her, he/she should attempt to
discuss the matter with the homeopath concerned as a first step
and in full confidentiality. Subsequently he/she should send a written
complaint to the Board of Directors. According to the procedures
laid down in the bylaws,
“upon receipt of a written complaint, the President and a member of the Board
of Directors or any officer of the Society, shall review the complaint;
and upon their concurrence that an infraction might have been committed,
the matter will be referred to...the Ethics Committee.
The committee shall notify the member named in the complaint by certified mail
and shall set forth the facts and circumstances therein alleged.
A hearing shall be scheduled in not less than ten (10) nor more
than sixty (60) days following said mailing, at which time the member
shall be encouraged to respond to the complaint. The Ethics Committee
is vested with the power and authority to conduct whatever investigation
is deemed necessary and proper.
The individual homeopath shall be notified of each complaint and of each decision
and of a member’s rights at each step of the process. The homeopath
involved has the right to be present and to present testimony with
legal counsel at any formal hearing held by the committee investigating
the complaint...A member who has violated any of the provisions
of the Code of Ethics of the Society, may be subject to censure,
suspension, or expulsion.”
Attachments
Appendix A: Continuing Education Credits
Appendix B: Standards of Practice Guidelines
Appendix C: Record-keeping Guidelines
Appendix D: General Consent Form
Appendix E: Authorization for Release of Information
Appendix F: Authorization to Publish or Teach (Written/video)
Appendix G: Consent to Participate in a Proving
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