American Board
of Chiropractic Orthopedists
Code of Ethics
2003
Introduction
The American
Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists (ABCO)
is a voluntary, non-profit, professional credentialing
board that certifies qualified chiropractic
physicians and practitioners engaged in the
field of chiropractic medicine who have met
the professional knowledge standards established
by the Board. Regardless of any other
professional affiliation, the ABCO Code of
Ethics (Code) applies to: all individuals
certified by the ABCO as a Board Certified
Chiropractic Orthopedist, as a Diplomate of
the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists
(DABCO), and those individuals seeking ABCO
certification (candidates). The Code
serves as the minimum ethical standard for
the professional behavior of ABCO Diplomates
and candidates.
The
Code is designed to provide both appropriate
ethical practice guidelines and enforceable
standards of conduct for all Diplomates and
candidates. The Code also serves as a
professional resource for the chiropractic physicians
and practitioners, as well as for those served
by ABCO Diplomates and candidates, in the case
of a possible ethical violation.
General Guidelines
Among other primary
goals, the ABCO is dedicated to the implementation
of appropriate professional standards designed
to serve patient welfare and the profession.
First and foremost, ABCO practitioners give
priority to patient interests and act in a manner
that promotes integrity and reflects positively
on the profession consistent with accepted moral,
ethical, and legal standards.
Generally, an ABCO Diplomate or candidate has
the obligation to:
Deal fairly with
all patients in a timely fashion, and provide
quality chiropractic services to patients,
by utilizing all necessary professional
resources in a technically appropriate and
efficient manner, and by considering the
cost effectiveness of treatments.
Respect and promote
the rights of patients by offering only
professional services that he/she is qualified
to perform and by adequately informing patients
about the nature of their conditions, the
objectives of the proposed treatment, treatment
alternatives, possible outcomes, and the
risk involved.
Maintain the confidentiality
of all patient information unless:
the information pertains to illegal activity;
the patient expressly directs the release
of specific information; or, a court or
government agency lawfully directs the release
of the information.
Avoid conduct which
may cause a conflict with patient interests,
and disclose to patients any circumstances
that could be construed as a conflict of
interest or an appearance of impropriety,
or that could otherwise influence, interfere
with, or compromise the exercise of independent
professional clinical judgment;
Engage in moral
and ethical business practices by providing
accurate and truthful representations concerning
his/her professional qualifications and
other relevant information in advertising
and other representations; and,
Further the professionalism
of the specialty of chiropractic orthopedics
by: being truthful with regard to research,
sources, findings, and related professional
activities; maintaining accurate and complete
research records, and respecting the intellectual
property and contributions of others.
Section
A
Compliance
with Laws, Policies, andRules Relating
to the Profession
The Diplomate/candidate
will be aware of and comply with all applicable
federal, state, and local laws and regulations
governing the profession. The Diplomate/candidate
will not knowingly participate in, or assist,
any act in violation of applicable laws
and regulations governing the profession.
Lack of awareness or misunderstanding of
these laws and regulations does not excuse
inappropriate or unethical behavior.
The Diplomate/candidate will be responsible
for understanding these obligations.
The Diplomate/candidate
will be aware of, and comply with, all ABCO
rules, policies and procedures. Lack
of awareness or misunderstanding of an ABCO
rule, policy or procedure does not excuse
inappropriate or unethical behavior.
The Diplomate/candidate will not knowingly
participate in, or assist, any act of violation
of any ABCO rules, policies and procedures.
The Diplomate/candidate will be responsible
for understanding these obligations.
The Diplomate/candidate
will make appropriate efforts to promote
compliance with, and awareness of, all applicable
laws, regulations, and ABCO rules and policies
governing the profession.
The Diplomate/candidate
will make appropriate efforts to prevent
violations of all applicable laws, regulations,
and ABCO rules and policies governing the
profession.
The Diplomate/candidate
will provide accurate and truthful representations
of all eligibility information, and will
submit valid application materials for fulfillment
of current certification and recertification
requirements.
The Diplomate/candidate
will maintain the security, and prevent
the disclosure, of ABCO Certification Program
examination information and materials.
The Diplomate/candidate
will report any possible violations of this
Code of Ethics to the appropriate government
authority and to the appropriate ABCO representative
upon a reasonable and clear factual basis.
The Diplomate/candidate
will cooperate fully with the ABCO concerning
the review of possible ethics violations
and the collection of related information.
Section
B
Professional
Practice Obligations
The Diplomate/candidate
will deliver competent chiropractic treatment
or services in a timely manner and will
provide quality patient care applying appropriately
professional skill and compliance.
The Diplomate/candidate
will recognize the limitations of his/her
professional ability, and will only provide
and deliver professional services for which
he/she is qualified. The Diplomate/candidate
will be responsible for determining his/her
own professional abilities based on his/her
education, knowledge, competency and extent
of practice experience in the field and
other relevant considerations.
The Diplomate/candidate
will use all health-related resources in
a technically appropriate and efficient
manner.
The Diplomate/candidate
will provide chiropractic services based
on patient needs and the cost-effectiveness
of treatments, and will avoid unnecessary
treatment or services. The Diplomate/candidate
will provide treatment that is both appropriate
and necessary to the condition of the patient.
The Diplomate/candidate
will exercise diligence and thoroughness
in providing patient care, and in making
professional diagnoses and recommendations
solely for the patient’s benefit, free from
any prejudiced or biased judgment.
The Diplomate/candidate who offers his/her
services to the public will not decline
a patient based on age, gender, race, color,
sexual orientation, national origin, or
any other bias that would constitute unlawful
discrimination.
The Diplomate/candidate
will provide appropriate professional referrals
when it is determined that he/she is unable
to provide competent professional, medical
assistance.
The Diplomate/candidate
will prepare and maintain all necessary,
required, or otherwise appropriate records
concerning his/her professional practice,
including all records related to treatment
of his/her patients.
The Diplomate/candidate
will consult with other health care professionals
when such consultation is appropriate, or
when requested by the patient.
The Diplomate/candidate
will act in a manner that may compromise
his/her clinical judgment or his/her obligation
to deal fairly with all patients.
The Diplomate/candidate will not allow medical
conditions, personal problems, psychological
distress, substance abuse, or mental health
difficulties to interfere with his/her professional
clinical judgment or performance.
The Diplomate/candidate
will be truthful and accurate in all advertising
and representations concerning qualifications,
experience, competency and performance of
services, including representations related
to professional status and/or areas of special
competence. The Diplomate/candidate
will not make false or deceptive statements
concerning his/her training, experience,
or competence; academic training or degrees;
certification or credentials; institutional
or association affiliations; services, or
fees for services.
The Diplomate/candidate
will not make explicit or implicit false
or misleading statements about, or guarantees
concerning, any treatment or service, orally
or in writing.
Section C
Requirements
Related to Research and Professional Activies
The Diplomate/candidate
will be accurate, truthful, and otherwise
act in an appropriate manner, with regard
to research findings and related professional
activities, and will make reasonable and
diligent efforts to avoid any material representations.
The Diplomate/candidate
will maintain appropriate, accurate, and
complete records with respect to research
findings and related professional activities.
When preparing,
developing, or presenting research information
and materials, the Diplomate/candidate will
not copy or use, in substantially similar
form, materials prepared by others without
acknowledging the correct source and identifying
the name of the author or publisher of such
material.
The Diplomate/candidate
will respect and protect the intellectual
property rights of others, and will otherwise
recognize the professional contributions
of others.
Section
D
Conflict
of Interest and Appearance of Impropriety
Requirements
The Diplomate/candidate
will not engage in conduct that may cause
an actual or perceived conflict between
his/her own interests and the interests
of his/her patient. The Diplomate/candidate
will avoid conduct that causes an appearance
of impropriety.
The Diplomate/candidate
will act to protect the interests and welfare
of the patient before his/her own interests,
unless such action is in conflict with any
legal, ethical, or professional obligation.
The Diplomate/candidate will not exploit
professional relationships for personal
gain.
The Diplomate/candidate
will disclose to patients any circumstance
that could be construed as a conflict of
interest or as appearance of impropriety
or that could otherwise influence or interfere
with the exercise of professional judgment.
The Diplomate/candidate
will refrain from offering, or accepting
inappropriate payments, gifts, or other
forms of compensation for personal gain,
unless in conformity with applicable laws,
regulation and ABCO rules and policies.
The Diplomate/candidate
will avoid conduct involving inappropriate,
unlawful, or otherwise unethical monetary
gain.
Section
E
Compensation
and Referral Disclosure Requirements
The Diplomate/candidate
will charge fair, reasonable, and appropriate
fees for all professional services.
The Diplomate/candidate
will charge fees that accurately reflect
the services and treatment provided to the
patient. When setting fees, the Diplomate/candidate
will consider the length of time he/she
has been practicing in this particular field,
the amount of time necessary to perform
the service, the nature of the patient’s
condition, his/her professional qualifications
and experience, and other relevant factors.
The Diplomate/candidate
will make all appropriate disclosures to
patients and prospective patients regarding
any benefits paid to others for recommending
or referring his/her services.
The Diplomate/candidate
will make all appropriate disclosures to
patients and prospective patients regarding
any benefits received for recommending or
referring the services of another individual.
Section
F
Confidentiality
Requirements
The Diplomate/candidate
will maintain and respect the confidentiality
of all patient information obtained in the
course of a professional relationship, unless:
the information pertains to illegal activity,
the patient expressly directs the release
of specific information, or a court or government
agency lawfully directs the release of the
information.
The Diplomate/candidate
will respect and maintain the privacy of
his/her patients.
Section G
Misconduct
Prohibitions
The Diplomate/candidate
will not engage in any criminal misconduct.
The Diplomate/candidate
will not engage in any sexual, physical,
romantic, or otherwise intimate conduct
with a current patient, or with a former
patient within two years following the termination
of the patient relationship.
The Diplomate/candidate
will not engage in conduct involving dishonesty,
fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation in professional
activities.
The Diplomate/candidate
will not engage in unlawful discrimination
in professional activities.
The Diplomate/candidate
will avoid any behavior clearly in violation
of accepted moral, ethical, or legal standards
that may compromise the integrity of, or
reflect negatively on, the profession.
