6. The client and social worker may need training to be proficient in using the devices, including downloading documents and completing electronic signatures. 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
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.
remain mindful of: ● Social welfare.
● 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 including 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.
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: ● Improve the quality of services provided to clients with genetic disorders. ● 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. National mental health associations, along with others, are continuing to develop and published guidelines to assist practitioners in the appropriate use of technology, including those who provide virtual therapy services. Technology and practice are generally defined as any electronically mediated activity used in the conduct of competent and ethical delivery of services. For example, a copy of the standards as developed by several social work organizations can be found at https://www. socialworkers.org/includes/newIncludes/homepage/PRA- BRO-33617.TechStandards_FINAL_POSTING.pdf. Social workers shall: ● Act ethically, ensure professional competence, and uphold the values of the profession. ● Have access to and ensure their clients have access to technology and appropriate support systems. ● Select and develop culturally competent methods and ensure that they have the skills to work with persons considered vulnerable (e.g., persons with disabilities and persons for whom English is not their primary language). ● Increase their proficiency in using technology and tools that enhance practice.
TECHNOLOGY
While there are many individuals who are hesitant to embrace new technology that can enhance best practice, one cannot ignore its many benefits. Currently, mental health professionals can use technology, particularly the Internet, to conduct research, provide e-therapy, advertise their services (when permitted), and communicate on a global scale with both clients and other professionals. Email, though fraught with potential for security violations and miscommunication, has certainly increased the efficiency and speed with which people can communicate with one another. For example, a mental health researcher can conduct a search on the Internet to inquire about and then contact another professional in another region to investigate innovative approaches to service delivery. Software applications (e.g., basic word processing, financial management systems, and documentation templates) assist practitioners with service planning, delivery, evaluation, and reporting. And wireless technology allows better utilization of their time away from the office. Cell phones have greatly increased accessibility as well.
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