MASH

The Professional Body Representing Speech-Language Therapists and Audiologists in Malaysia

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Code of Ethics

The preservation of the highest standards of integrity and ethical principles is vital to the responsible discharge of obligations in the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology. This Code of Ethics sets forth the fundamental principles and rules considered essential to this purpose.

Every individual who is:-

  1. a member of the Malaysian Association of Speech-Language and Hearing,
  2. a non-member holding the relevant professional qualifications, or
  3. an applicant for membership or certification shall abide by this Code of Ethics.

Any action that violates the spirit and purpose of this code shall be considered unethical. Failure to specify any particular responsibility or practice in this Code of Ethics shall not be construed as denial of the existence of such responsibility to persons served, to the public, and to the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology.

Principles of Ethics form the underlying moral basis for the code of ethics. Individuals shall observe these principles as affirmative obligations under all conditions of professional activity.

Rules of Ethics are specific statements of minimal professional conduct or of prohibitions and are applicable to all individuals.

Individual shall honour their responsibility to hold paramount the welfare of persons they serve professionally. Rules of Ethics
  • Individuals shall provide all services competently.
  • Individuals shall use every resource, including referral when appropriate, to ensure that high quality service is provided.
  • Individuals shall not discriminate in the delivery of professional services on the basis of the race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.
  • Individuals shall not fully inform the persons they serve of the nature and possible effects of services rendered and products dispensed.
  • Individuals shall evaluate the effectiveness of services rendered and of the products dispensed and shall provide services or dispense products only when benefit can reasonably be expected.
  • Individuals shall not guarantee the results of any treatment or procedure, directly or by implications; however, they make a reasonable statement of prognosis.
  • Individuals shall not evaluate or treat speech, language, of hearing disorders solely by correspondense.
  • Individuals shall maintain adequate records of professional services rendered and products dispensed and shall allow access to these records when appropriately authorized.
  • Individuals shall not reveal, without authorization, any professional or interpersonal information about the person served professionally, unless required by law to do so, or unless doing so is necessary to protect the welfare of the person or community.
  • Individuals shall not charge for services not rendered, nor shall they misrepresent*, in any fashion, services rendered or products dispensed.
      *For the purpose of this Code of Ethics, misrepresentation includes any untrue statements or statements that are likely to mislead. Misrepresentation also includes the failure to state any information that is material and that ought, in fairness, to be considered.
  • Individuals shall use persons in research or as subjects of teaching demonstration only with their informed consent.
  • Individuals shall withdraw from professional practice when substance abuse or an emotional or mental ability may adversely affect the quality of services rendered.

Individuals shall honour their responsibility to achieve and maintain the highest level of the professional competence.

Rules of Ethics

  • Individuals shall engage in the provision of clinical services only when they possess the appropriate qualifications or when they are in the certification/qualifying process and are supervised by an individual who possesses the appropriate qualifications.
  • Individuals shall engage in only aspects of the professions that are within the scope of their competence, considering their level of education, training and experience.
  • Individuals shall continue their professional development throughout their careers.
  • Individuals shall delegate their provision of clinical services only to persons who are qualified or to persons in the education or qualifying process who are appropriately supervised. The provision of support services maybe delegated to persons who do not possess clinical qualifications only when a qualified speech-language pathologist or audiologist provides appropriate supervision.
  • Individuals shall prohibit any of their professional staff from providing services that exceed the staff member’s competence, considering the staff member’s level of education, training and experience.
  • Individuals shall ensure that all equipment used in the provision of services are in proper working order and are appropriately calibrated.

Individuals shall honour their responsibility to the public by promoting public understanding of the professions, by supporting the development of services designed to fulfill the unmet needs of the public, and by providing accurate information in all communications involving any aspect of the professions.

Rules of Ethics

  • Individuals shall not misrepresent their credentials, competence, education, training, or experience.
  • Individuals shall not participate in professional activities that constitute a conflict of interest.
  • Individuals shall not misrepresent diagnostic information, services rendered, or products dispensed or engage in any scheme or article to defraud in connection with obtaining payment or reimburstment for such services or products.
  • Individuals’ statements to the public shall provide accurate information about the nature and management of the communication disorders, about the professions, and about professional services.
  • Individuals’ statements to the public – advertising, announcing, and marketing their professional services, reporting research results, and promoting products – shall adhere to prevailing professional standards and shall not contain misrepresentations.

Individuals shall honour their responsibilities to the professions and their relationships with colleagues, students, and members of allied professions. Individuals shall uphold the dignity and autonomy of the professions, maintain harmonious interprofessional and intraprofessional relationships, and accept the profession’s self-imposed standards.

Rules of Ethics

  • Individuals shall prohibit anyone under their supervision from engaging in any practice that violate the Code of Ethics.
  • Individuals shall not engage in dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or any form of conduct that adversely reflects on the professions or on the individuals’s fitness to serve persons professionally.
  • Individuals shall assign credit to those who have contributed to a publication, presentation, or product. Credit shall be assigned in proportion to the contribution; and only with the contributor’s consent.
  • Individuals’ statements to colleagues about professional services, research results, and products shall adhere to prevailing professional standards and shall contain no misrepresentations.
  • Individuals shall not provide professional services without exercising independent professional judgement, regardless of referral source or prescription.
  • Individuals who have reason to believe that the Code of Ethics has been violated shall inform the Ethical Practice Committee.
  • Individuals shall coperate fully with the Ethical Practice Committee in its investigation and adjudication of matters related to this Code of Ethics.