Ontario Homeopathic Association (OHA) Code of Ethics
http://www.ontariohompath.com
Homeopathic
Doctors & Practitioners
The ethical Homeopathic Doctor & Practitioner shall apply the principles of homeopathy
within a philosophy of care which requires him/her to:
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Consider first the well-being of the
patient and above all do no harm. The Homeopathic Doctor & Practitioner facilitates healing with gentle,
non-invasive therapies.
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Recognise and promote the self-healing
power of nature inherent in every person.
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Treat the whole person and encourage
healing on all levels, including the physical, emotional,
mental and spiritual. The Homeopathic Doctor
& Practitioner treats each person by considering
all individual health factors and influences.
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Strive to resolve the underlying causes
of illnesses, rather than suppress symptoms.
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Educate his/her patients about the
role homeopathy can play regarding their health as well
as in preventing further ill health.
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Encourage patients to actively participate
in their health care and adopt a preventative approach to
health and wellness.
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Maintain the confidentiality of all
patients' records.
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Recognise his/her limitations and
the special skills of others in the prevention and treatment
of disease.
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Honour the homeopathic profession
and its tradition.
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Teach and be taught. That is, to responsibly
facilitate public education regarding the values of homeopathy,
and to maintain and upgrade one’s own expertise in homeopathy.
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Encourage and support research in
homeopathy.
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Guide
to Ethical Practice
The following enlarges and supplements the general
principles stated above to guide individual homeopathic practitioners,
governmental authorities and the public in the interpretation of
ethical practice:
Responsibilities
to the Patient
The Homeopathic Doctor & Practitioner:
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Will practice the art and science
of homeopathy to the best of his/her ability and judgement.
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Will represent his/her qualifications
honestly, including education and professional affiliations,
and will perform only those services for which he/she is
qualified.
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Shall maintain competence in homeopathic
medicine and strive for professional excellence through
constant assessment of personal strengths, limitations and
effectiveness and by the advancement of professional knowledge.
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Will practice in a manner that is
above reproach and will take neither physical, sexual, emotional
nor financial advantage of the patient.
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Will recognise his/her professional
limitations and, when indicated, recommend to the patient
that additional options and/or services be obtained.
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Will request the opinion of an appropriate
practitioner, acceptable to the patient, when diagnosis
or treatment is difficult or obscure or when the patient
requests it.
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Will agree that a patient has the
right to accept or reject any healthcare recommended.
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Shall safeguard a patient’s privacy
and only disclose confidential information, whether obtained
from the patient or from another healthcare professional
regarding the patient, when either authorised by the patient
or mandated to do so by law.
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Will recommend only diagnostic procedures
and treatment that is believed necessary for the well-being
of the patient. The homeopathic
practitioner will exchange such information concerning these
findings that is necessary for the patient to reach a decision.
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Will, upon a patient’s request, supply
the information that is required to enable a patient to
receive any benefits to which the patient may be entitled.
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Will be considerate of the concern
of the patient's next-of-kin and cooperate with them in
the patient's interest.
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Will recognise the responsibility
of a homeopathic doctor/practitioner
to render care to any person regardless of colour, religion,
sexual orientation or political belief.
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Shall, except in an emergency or as
required by law, have the right to refuse to accept a patient.
Will, if absent, ensure the availability of care to his/her
patients if possible.
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Will, once having accepted a patient,
continue to provide services until they are no longer required
or until arrangements have been made for the services of
another suitable practitioner.
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May withdraw from the responsibility
for the care of a patient provided that the patient is given
adequate notice of that intention.
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Will inform the patient when personal
morality or religious conscience prevents him/her from recommending
some forms of therapy.
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Will consider, in determining professional
fees, both the nature of the service provided and the ability
of the patient to pay, and will be prepared to discuss the
fee with the patient.
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Will render all possible assistance
to any patient where an urgent need for emergency care exist.
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Will, when the patient is unable to
give consent and an agent of the patient is not available
to give consent, render such therapy as the homeopathic
practitioner believes to be in the patient's best interest.
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Is willing to identify the remedy
prescribed to a patient.
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Responsibilities
to the Profession
The Homeopathic Doctor & Practitioner:
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Will recognise that the profession
demands integrity and dedication from all its members.
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Will strive to participate in professional
activities at the national, provincial and local level in
order to advance the standards of care, the body of knowledge
and the public awareness of homeopathy.
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Will recognise that self-discipline
of the profession is a privilege and that each practitioner
has a continuing responsibility to merit the retention of
that privilege.
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Will enter into a contract with an
organisation only if it will allow maintenance of professional
integrity.
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Will ensure, before initiating clinical
research involving humans, that proper recognised ethical
protocol is followed.
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Will recognise a responsibility to
give the generally held opinions of the profession when
interpreting knowledge of a scientific nature to the public.
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Will indicate when he/she professes
an opinion which is contrary to the generally held opinion
of the profession, and will avoid any attempt to enhance
his/her own professional reputation through the statement
of a differing opinion. Will build a professional reputation
based on ability and integrity and
will only advertise professional services or make professional
announcements as permitted by legislation or by the provincial
homeopathic licensing authority.
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Will avoid advocacy of any product
when identified as a member of the homeopathic practitioner
profession.
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Avoid any interests, activities or
influences which might conflict with their obligation to
act in the best interest of the clients and the profession.
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Refuse any gifts or benefits which
are intended to influence a referral, a decision or a treatment.
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Will avoid any personal profit motive
in ordering drugs, appliances or diagnostic procedures from
any facility in which he/she has a financial interest.
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The Homeopathic Doctor & Practitioner:
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Will behave in a way beyond reproach
and will report to the appropriate professional body any
conduct of a colleague which might generally be considered
unbecoming to the profession.
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Will only offer to a colleague a business
contract which has terms and conditions equitable to both
parties.
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Will, having requested the opinion
of a colleague, make available all relevant information
and, providing the patient consents, indicate clearly if
the consultant is to continue with the care of the patient.
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Will, with permission from the patient,
cooperate with those individuals who in the opinion of the
homeopathic practitioner may assist in the care of the patient.
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Will make available to appropriate
practitioners, upon the request of the patient, a report
of pertinent findings and treatment of the patient.
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Responsibilities
to Society
The Homeopathic Doctor & Practitioner:
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Will strive to educate the public
in health standards and promote health and safety in the
community at large.
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