More about informed consent The issue of informed consent relates closely with one of the most important values of ethical mental health practice: self- determination. In order for informed consent to be valid, the following conditions must be met: 1. A person of legal age must give consent voluntarily. 2. The individual must be competent to refuse or to consent to treatment. 3. The client must be given thorough, accurate information about the service so she or he may weigh the benefits and risks of treatment. 4. Information must be given in a format that can be fully comprehended by the client based on age, cognitive ability, level of literacy, taking account of any disabilities, which must be accommodated. One of the newest challenges for mental health practitioners is the issue of informed consent in e-therapy. Kanani & Regehr (2003) point out the following reasons: Ethical responsibilities to the broader society All mental health practitioners are shaped and impacted by such influences as their family, community, environment, and culture. Therefore, it is helpful for them to promote the general welfare of both their immediate clients and the present and long-term welfare of the society at large. For example, the NASW points out that social workers should remain mindful of: ● Social welfare.
1. Anonymity on the Internet makes it more difficult to determine the client’s mental capacity or visual or auditory capacity to comprehend the terms of consent. 2. It may be more difficult to determine legal age. 3. Potential conditions such as suicidal behaviors and eating disorders may not be suitable for online therapy. 4. There is limited empirical research available, thus limiting both the practitioner and client’s understanding of either the efficacy or the risks associated with e-therapy. 5. Internet identity issues place a greater burden on the practitioner to determine whether the client is legally and ethically able to consent. 6. The client and social worker may need training to be proficient in using the devices, including downloading documents and completing electronic signatures. 7. Technical problems with the device or the connection may interfere with the transmission or storage of documents. Ethical social mindfulness can be demonstrated when mental health practitioners work to promote involvement in social and political actions that: ● Ensure equal access to resources and opportunities. ● Advocate for improvements in social conditions. ● Promote equality for all people. ● Expand choice and opportunity to all people. ● Promote cultural and social diversity. ● Prevent and eliminate the domination, exploitation, and discrimination of any person, group, or class of people.
● Public participation. ● Public emergencies. ● Social and political action.
ETHICS FOR SPECIALIZED PRACTICE AREAS
Responsible mental health practice can be found in a variety of settings and address multiple issues. As the world changes, practitioners are increasingly challenged to broaden their knowledge and adopt practices that meet the unique needs of their service populations and settings. Currently, most mental health associations provide additional guides or standards of practice that address areas Genetics Years ago, mental health practitioners could neither fathom the science of genetics nor predict its impact on the profession. Today genetics, or the study of genes and their effects on human growth and development, is looking increasingly promising as a solution to many of the health problems faced by humans. Genetics enables science to diagnose certain conditions and offers hope of deeper understanding of diseases and conditions so that they may be prevented and/or treated. And as history has demonstrated, any innovation brings with it new challenges to what we consider right, fair, ethical, and legal. All licensed mental health practitioners can take an active role in ensuring that their clients are protected against genetic discrimination in areas such as health and life insurance, employment, and adoption. And national mental health professional associations are beginning to address the need to integrate knowledge of genetics into mental health practice. Some of their objectives are to: ● Inform about genetics as an expanding field of mental health knowledge. ● Improve the quality of services provided to clients with genetic disorders.
including substance abuse, health care, marriage and family issues, couples’ work, clinical social work, child welfare, palliative/end of life care, work with adolescents, and long- term care. They also publish standards that address issues such as technology, cultural competence, and genetics. It is helpful to review a couple of relevant issues impacting mental health practice: ● Provide a basis for the development of continuing education materials and programs in genetics. ● Ensure that services to clients with genetic disorders are guided by association code of ethics. ● Advocate for clients’ right to self-determination, confidentiality, access to genetic services, and non- discrimination. ● Encourage mental health practitioners to participate in the formulation and refinement of public policy (at the state and federal levels) relevant to genetic research, services, and treatment of populations with genetically identified predispositions or conditions In 2003, the National Association of Social Workers published the NASW Standards for Integrating Genetics into Social Work Practice. These standards were meant to educate and inform social workers, encourage them to participate in formulating and refining public policy, advocate for clients’ life, and make sure that social workers provide services to clients with genetic disorders in a manner guided by the NASW Code of Ethics.
EliteLearning.com/Social-Work
Book Code: SWTX1525
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