F. Applying Ethical Practice
- Barry Smith
Informed Consent
Informed consent is essential to maintaining client autonomy and ensuring clients make their own choices.
Key elements of informed consent include:
Specificity: Consent must be for the exact service to be provided.
Clarity: The client must understand the service, who will perform it, the reasons, and potential benefits.
Voluntariness: Consent must be freely given without coercion.
Honesty: No misrepresentation or fraud should be involved.
Documentation: All forms of consent (written, verbal, implied) must be documented.
For clients with impaired capacity or language barriers, special considerations should be made, such as using interpreters or ensuring the client understands the consent process.
Boundaries
Professionals must maintain a "professional distance" from clients to avoid confusing personal and professional roles.
Areas to be cautious of:
Self-disclosure: Sharing personal details can undermine the professional relationship.
Gifts: Accepting or giving gifts can confuse the boundaries of the relationship.
Personal opinions: Avoid imposing personal beliefs or reactions on clients.
Friendships: A personal friendship with a client is a dual relationship and should be avoided.
Multiple/Dual Relationships
A dual relationship occurs when the VRP has an additional non-professional relationship with the client (e.g., family member or employer).
These relationships should be avoided or, if unavoidable, managed with clear professional boundaries.
Client Confidentiality
VRPs must maintain confidentiality and not share client information without consent, unless required by law.
Privileged Information: Unlike some professions, VRPs are not allowed to keep information confidential by privilege.
Mandatory Reporting
VRPs must report instances of abuse or situations that present immediate danger to clients or others, as specified by local protection acts.
Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest arises when a VRP’s personal interests might influence their professional decisions. This does not always involve financial gain but any personal or private interest that could affect objectivity.
Quiz
What is a key element of informed consent?
a) The client must agree to every service the professional offers.
b) The client must understand the nature of the service and the reasons for it.
c) Consent can be assumed without documentation.
d) Consent is only valid if it is in writing.
Why is self-disclosure discouraged for vocational rehabilitation professionals?
a) It helps to build trust with the client.
b) It can confuse the professional-client relationship and shift focus from the client’s needs.
c) It helps the professional relate better to the client.
d) It makes the professional more approachable.
Which of the following is an example of a dual relationship?
a) Being both a client's VRP and their family member.
b) Helping a client find a job.
c) Providing vocational assessment services.
d) Discussing a client’s progress with a colleague.
When is it acceptable for a VRP to break client confidentiality?
a) When the client requests it.
b) If the client asks the VRP to share information with family members.
c) If the VRP believes it will benefit the client personally.
d) If there is a legal requirement or imminent risk of harm.
What should a vocational rehabilitation professional do when there is a conflict of interest?
a) Continue providing services but inform the client of the potential bias.
b) Disclose the conflict and take steps to ensure objectivity.
c) Hide personal interests to avoid awkward situations.
d) Let the client make all decisions without interference.
What does "voluntary" consent mean in vocational rehabilitation services?
a) Consent is given without any understanding of the service provided.
b) Consent can be assumed from the client’s actions.
c) The client must freely agree to services without external pressure.
d) Consent can be given at any time, regardless of the service being provided.
How should a vocational rehabilitation professional handle giving or receiving gifts from clients?
a) Accept large gifts if the client insists.
b) Always reject gifts, regardless of the circumstances.
c) Accept small, culturally appropriate gifts while maintaining professional boundaries.
d) Encourage clients to give gifts as part of their rehabilitation process.
Answer Key
b) The client must understand the nature of the service and the reasons for it.
b) It can confuse the professional-client relationship and shift focus from the client’s needs.
a) Being both a client's VRP and their family member.
d) If there is a legal requirement or imminent risk of harm.
b) Disclose the conflict and take steps to ensure objectivity.
c) The client must freely agree to services without external pressure.
c) Accept small, culturally appropriate gifts while maintaining professional boundaries.