Ethics are an important part of professional life; in a guest editorial to the Journal in August 1984 Grace Wilson pointed out that we cannot write ethics to protect the physiotherapist, they are written to protect the public.
Ethics are an important part of professional life. In a guest editorial to the Journal in August 1984 Grace Wilson pointed out that we cannot write ethics to protect the physiotherapist, they are written to protect the public. A professional organisation must demonstrate that it expects a certain standard of behaviour from its members.
There had been an Ethics sub-Committee from 1973 when they considered the NZSP should have greater disciplinary powers, and approached the Physiotherapy Board to discuss the feasibility of making registration dependent upon the applicant being a member of an appropriate professional body. Later Grace Wilson pointed out that because the Society is not the registering body this is not possible. In September 1979 a Committee was elected to consider changing our ethics because the current practice of physiotherapy was often outside the ethics of our profession, and the best interests of the patient were not well served. A Committee was elected - Ace Neame, Dorothy Gordon and Lesley Askew. New Ethical rules were sent to branches in November 1979.
National Executive issued a policy about referral of physiotherapy patients in 1980 “a physiotherapist, when treating patients referred to him by a medical officer, is bound by ethics to ensure that any further consultation must be with the referring doctor, or, where an emergency situation may require it, consultation with another medical officer is permissible, providing that the original referring doctor is informed”.
Although New Zealand physiotherapists have never been legally bound to seek medical referral for patients they are bound by an ethical code governing their professional behaviour.
Advertising was only allowed as a name plate, stationery, card, or in the journal. The professional code was also spelt out. At the AGM in 1982 the Ethics and Professional code was presented, after which the Ethics Committee became redundant
Advertising was only allowed as a name plate, stationery, card, or in the journal. The professional code was also spelt out. At the AGM in 1982 the Ethics and Professional code was presented, after which the Ethics Committee became redundant
In April 1982 Executive discussed the need for a meeting about ethics. In March 1984 it was felt the Ethics rules needed to be brought up to date. In May 1984 results of a questionnaire on Ethics had been collated, and hoped to have rules ready to circulate late in the year. It was decided to possibly set up a standing Committee called Central Ethical Advisory Committee and write an article about ethics in the journal.
Members of the Committee were - Mrs. G.Wilson, Mr. B.Mulligan, Mrs. J. Jamieson. CEAC decisions should be made public, personal details being omitted by statements in reports to the National Executive. It was also decided that “National Executive should make no comment on any advice made by CEAC as they act as the appeal authority on any disciplinary matter”.[1]
In August 1985 the NZSP sought a ruling on ethics of the responsibilities between medical practitioners and specified physiotherapists[2]. Grace Wilson published a paper giving the background to Ethics in the Society[3] in 1985 together with how to approach these Committees for assistance.
The management of ethical problems in the Society fell into two areas 1) Advisory 2) Disciplinary.
These were two very different areas, and for this reason there were two different Committees -
The Central Ethical Advisory Committee (CEAC) gave advice to physiotherapists.
The Complaints and Discipline Committee (CDC). was a matter of peer control.
Serious matters which could lead to de-registration were dealt with by the Physiotherapy Board, lesser matters affecting members by the CDC of the Society. From 1982 a number of complaints were dealt with by the CDC, which had been listed as a Committee since 1982, in 1984 it was decided to set up a Standing Committee called the CEAC. At the end of 1984 a questionnaire about ethics was circulated to Branches and SIGs. In September 1985 the CEAC resolved “that this Committee offer advice on ethical matters only which is not binding on a person or any other Committee of the Society. These two Committees never functioned well. Central Ethical Advisory Committee members were approached in January 1986 to see whether they felt it should be disbanded or retained.
In March 1986 the CEAC Executive discussed the need for a meeting between CEAC, CDC, MRC, and Executive to formulate ethical guidelines and discuss the viability of the present structure of CEAC. It was suggested that this meeting should be in June and chaired by Mr. Lamont. At the AGM in 1986 - Mr. Mulligan was unhappy about the procedure where by CEAC could give advice which the CDC might later override. The meeting felt that some sort of advice was necessary but that the viability of CEAC in its present form should be looked at and proposals brought to the 1987 annual general meeting. The Inter Committee Meeting was held on 21 June 1986. The meeting discussed the present role of CEAC and the report stated that the work of the present Committee fell into the following categories
A further question discussed at this meeting was the quantum of penalty the Physiotherapy Board could presently impose - a letter was sent to the Physiotherapy Board.
It was recommended that both CEAC and CDC be disbanded and replaced by an Ethical Committee at the AGM in 1987. Rule changes were needed at the next AGM to do this, MRC could do this if required. In the meantime CDC could assume the responsibility prior to the AGM by Executive accepting the resignations of CEAC and co-opting CDC to CEAC.
[1] Executive Minutes 28-9-85
[2] NZJP August 1985 Page 20
[3] NZJP August 1985
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