For day 9 of Better Speech Language and Hearing Month, I am talking about the ASHA Code of Ethics and its information on the intersection of ethics and cultural competence. First, I will discuss the most relevant principles and rules from the ASHA Code of Ethics. Then, we will talk about ethics issues related to cultural and linguistic competence.
Principle of Ethics I ASHA Code of Ethics
Principle of Ethics I involves welfare of persons we serve or involve in research and scholarly activities. Under this principle relevant rules are:
B: using every resource when appropriate to ensure quality service is provided
C. Individuals shall not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, disability, culture, language or dialect
Principle of Ethics II ASHA Code of Ethics
Principle of Ethics II states Individuals shall honor their responsibility to achieve and maintain the highest level of professional competence and performance.
Rule A: Individuals who hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence shall engage in only those aspects of the professions that are within the scope of their professional practice and competence, considering their certification status, education, training, and experience.
Principle of Ethics IV ASHA Code of Ethics
Principles of Ethics IV states that SLPs and audiologists need to maintain collaborative and harmonious intra- and inter-professional relationships.
The relevant rules are:
A. Individuals shall work collaboratively, when appropriate, with members of one’s own profession and/or members of other professions to deliver the highest quality of care.
B. Individuals shall exercise independent professional judgment in recommending and providing professional services when an administrative mandate, referral source, or prescription prevents keeping the welfare of persons served paramount
L. Individuals shall not discriminate in their relationships with colleagues, assistants, students, support personnel, and members of other professions and disciplines on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, disability, culture, language, dialect, or socioeconomic status.
Cultural/Linguistic Competence and Ethical Issues
With rule B of Principle I, if a provider does not have the knowledge of cultural and linguistic differences, then they must refer or seek the appropriate interprofessional services needed as well as self-education. Otherwise, the patient is not receiving the best care possible.
Similarly, going along with Principle II and Rule A, if you do feel you are underprepared to treat a patient that has cultural and linguistic differences, you should consider additional training as well and referrals and translations and consider the best option for the individual. In certain areas, referrals may not be possible or ethical if another professional is not experienced in the patients communication or swallowing problem.
Additionally, with rule L in principle IV emphasizes that not only is discrimination not allowed with patients, but it is not allowed with professionals as well.
Other Ethical Issues
There are many ethical issues that can result in the areas of cultural and linguistic differences. The best way to prevent these issues are to most accurately represent your skills and find a solution when you are underprepared related to a certain cultural or linguistic difference. This can also be remedied by understanding and owning personal internal biases.
Overall, we can be more intentional when designing treatment plans. Not all materials will be appropriate for every patients, and can even be offensive. When working with children, think about what messages books may send to different groups. Do they have diverse characters? Do they represent different kinds of families?
When working with adults and giving treatment options, research what medical preferences different cultures have and be supportive of this when presenting options. What may be the option with the best prognosis may not match a patient’s values.
These are just some examples of how ethics and cultural competence intersect. To learn more, visit ASHA’s page on this topic.
This is day 9 of Better Speech and Hearing Month. Thanks for reading! If you missed the first seven days, click here to check them out.
Come back tomorrow to learn more about cultural sensitivity as an SLP. For more cultural sensitivity tips, make sure to subscribe to my SLP Survival Newsletter!
