Professional Ethics and Law in California, 2nd Edition _ ____________________________________________
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR TELEMENTAL HEALTH
Confidentiality • Use the most up - to - date antivirus .
• Use secure internet connection and password-protections instead of public or unsecured Wi-Fi. • Ensure nobody will record (in any form) the session without permission . • Discuss confidentiality as a responsibility of both parties, including a transparent description of the limits to confidentiality. • Assure that any software/program that is used in the session is end-to-end encrypted to protect the data. If this is not available, clinicians must explain the risks of being hacked or privacy violation to patients. • Ensure no one else can listen to the session (unless it is a part of the interventions and being agreed to prior to the session) . • Parents or legal guardians of minors should grant privacy during virtual sessions. • Adequate knowledge and competency in using the software, hardware, and network for providing online interventions, including problem solving skills on related-logistic issues that patients may experience. • Consider a patient's cognitive and clinical status as well as their comfort in using technology effectively and safely. • Minimize distractions by turning off pop-up notifications and unrelated apps on smartphone or computer. • Maintain professionalism by wearing professional attire, removing personal items in the background that may distract the patient’s focus, and conducting the session within the same duration as an in-person session. • Clinicians should be culturally sensitive, approaching patients with cultural humility, regardless of the modality of intervention.
Competency
Table 1
From Liem et al, 2020
WORKS CITED https://qr2.mobi//professional-ethics-CA-2e
CONCLUSION Ethical dilemmas are varied, common, and complex. Ethi- cal decision making can be difficult as well as time-consuming, while sometimes mental health practitioners are still left with a little ambivalence and uncertainty following their decision. Typically, there will be more than one person involved with the ethical decision-making process. It is always important to keep in mind that the power of supervision and consultation regarding any mental health practice ethical dilemma.
Implicit Bias in Health Care The role of implicit biases on healthcare outcomes has become a concern, as there is some evidence that implicit biases contribute to health disparities, professionals’ attitudes toward and interactions with patients, quality of care, diagnoses, and treatment decisions. This may produce differences in help-seeking, diagnoses, and ultimately treatments and interventions. Implicit biases may also unwittingly produce professional behaviors, attitudes, and interactions that reduce patients’ trust and comfort with their provider, leading to earlier termination of visits and/or reduced adherence and follow-up. Disadvantaged groups are marginalized in the healthcare system and vulnerable on multiple levels; health professionals’ implicit biases can further exacerbate these existing disadvantages. Interventions or strategies designed to reduce implicit bias may be categorized as change-based or control-based. Change- based interventions focus on reducing or changing cognitive associations underlying implicit biases. These interventions might include challenging stereotypes. Conversely, control-based interventions involve reducing the effects of the implicit bias on the individual’s behaviors. These strategies include increasing awareness of biased thoughts and responses. The two types of interventions are not mutually exclusive and may be used synergistically.
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