Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics Patricia M. Guenther, PhD, RD Research Professor Division of Nutrition University of Utah ACADEMY/CDR 1

Questionnaire Overview of ethics Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics Complaint process and resolutions First steps you can take Case scenarios Key points Outline 2

“Right and Wrong” “Moral and Immoral” “Just and Unjust” Ethics is the Struggle Between… 3

1. The study of standards of conduct and moral judgment. 2. The study of the general nature of morals and of the specific moral choices to be made by a person. 3. The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession. Definitions of Ethics 4

Aspirational Educational Regulatory Types of Codes 5

1.Fundamental Principles 2.Responsibilities to the Public 3.Responsibilities to Clients 4.Responsibilities to the Profession 5.Responsibilities to Colleagues and Other Professionals Code consists of Five Categories 6

Protects the profession and the credentials Influences public and private policy Improves professional practice Educates dietetics practitioners about ethical decisions Meets the guidelines of the accrediting agency for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Functions of the Code of Ethics 7

The Code is not intended to Identify and reprimand all unqualified dietitians and dietetic technicians Be a punitive force to take away credentials Misconceptions about the Code of Ethics 8

Academy/CDR Initiatives 9 Code of Ethics Standards of Professional Practice Professional Development Portfolio

History of the Academy/CDR Code 1934 – 1st Report presented to members – 1st Code adopted. Enforced – 2nd Code adopted. Enforced – 3rd revised Code adopted by HOD in fall – Revised Code published January – New Task Force formed to review and revise the 1999 Code – Revised Code approved by HOD, BOD and CDR. 10

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, August 2009, pages Academy Web site – Accessing the Code of Ethics 11

Ethics Committee Ethics Team at Headquarters Ethics For Further Reading List FNCE sessions Ethics Opinions Ethics in Action columns Case Studies (24): Application of the Code of Ethics Case Studies (9): Impact of Social Media Tools and Resources 12

“Code of Ethics--Video Version” “Ethical Dilemmas in Dietetics Practice” Series of five videos Case studies and discussion questions Tools and Resources (cont.) 13

Ethics Committee was established in 1982 Composed of three members who each serve 3 year terms One appointed by the Academy President One appointed by the Speaker, HOD One appointed by chair of CDR One new member is added each year Academy Ethics Committee 14

Attends all meetings of Ethics Committee Reviews files and correspondence Provides counsel as to legal implications of decisions and actions Academy’s Legal Counsel 15

Any member or non-member can make a complaint. Complaints are not anonymous but are confidential. If a complaint is made, it is forwarded to the member for a response. The Ethics Committee then reviews the complaint and discusses the response in executive session. Access to the Ethics Committee 16

The enforcement procedures are intended to permit a fair resolution of disputes on ethical practices in a manner that protects the rights of individuals while promoting understanding of ethical practice. The Ethics Committee has the authority and the flexibility to determine the best way to resolve a complaint, including educational means where appropriate. Ethics Case Management Procedure 17

Case may be dismissed Further information may be requested Person may be contacted with specific actions for educational intervention Censorship, probation, suspension, or expulsion RD or DTR credential or specialist credential may be suspended or revoked Ethics Committee uses a defined policy and procedure handbook to guide its decisions. What happens next… 18

19 Types of Complaints InquiriesComplaintsComplaint Types 81Personal dispute 155Inappropriate advice (3); Practicing without a license; Copyright violation 166Inappropriate advice; Personal dispute; Poor business practice (4) 2411Poor business practice (5); Licensure violation (4); Lack of scientific support; Legal violation 185Personal dispute; Lack of scientific support (2); Misuse of credential; Poor business practice

Legal issue? Employer policy issue? Personal issue? Business dispute? Academy/CDR member involved? If Code is violated, cite specific principle violated Ethical Issue or Not? 20

Three ethics case studies will be reviewed. Work in small groups to discuss one of them. Choose a reporter to answer the questions posed. Ethics Case Studies 21

Is the situation described an ethical issue or not? Is the situation described a business dispute? What category and principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why? What are the key issues? How might you handle as a colleague? Questions to Discuss for Each Case Study 22

A new RD has been employed by a naturopathic medical clinic to provide diet education and therapy to patients. One of the naturopaths has requested that she recommend a new diet regimen advocating the use of pomegranates to improve patient’s circulation and an herbal tea for controlling diabetes. In addition, she has been asked to promote the raw food diet to all patients. Case Study #1: Practicing on the Edge of Science 23

Is the situation described an ethical issue or not? Is the situation described a business dispute? What category and principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why? What are the key issues? How might you handle as a colleague? Small Group Discussion 24

What Was the Ethics Committee’s Reaction to the Case? Key Issues How to Handle Results 25

An RD has been attending CPEU programs for 4 years, but has not recorded the information for her 5-year portfolio. She has documentation and paperwork for many of the hours but is not sure she has documentation to satisfy the full 75-hour requirement. She finds information from two wellness programs she attended but does not have the dates, nor the number of credit units. Rationalizing that she did attend the presentations and that CDR will not check, she picks dates within her 5-year period and a number of units, and she records the information on her activity log. Case Study #2: Falsifying Continuing Professional Education 26

Is the situation described an ethical issue? Is the situation described a business dispute? What category and principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why? What are the key issues? How might you handle as a colleague? Small Group Discussion 27

What Was the Ethics Committee’s Reaction to the Case? Key Discussion Points How to Handle Results 28

An RD is on Facebook and comes across a posting from an intern who is currently working in a clinical setting. The intern includes information about a patient and what the physician had said to her at the facility without using any names. Case Study #3: Social Media 29

Is the situation described an ethical issue or not? Is the situation described a business dispute? What category and principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate to and how/why? What are the key issues? How might you handle as a colleague? Small Group Discussion 30

What Was the Ethics Committee’s Reaction to the Case? Key Discussion Points How to Handle Results 31

Summary 32