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Introduction
This document is a
statement of the conditions which psychologists need to achieve the goal of
providing their clients the best psychological services possible. It makes
the assumption that psychologists are viewed from and evaluated on the basis of
their areas of expertise and are otherwise treated with equality and fairness.
It also complements the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists (1991) which
outlines the responsibilities of psychologists to their clients, society, the
psychological profession and themselves. According to the Code, a client
is a person, family or group (including an organization or community) receiving
service from a psychologist.
Adopted by the PAA
Board September 18, 1999
Client-Psychologist Relationship
Psychologists
recognize that psychological practice is varied and includes clinical,
educational and research activities. Psychologists regard serving the
psychological needs of their clients as paramount and at the centre of the
client-psychologist relationship. A strong client-psychologist
relationship is one based on trust, honesty, confidentiality and mutual respect.
In order to achieve the best client-psychologist relationship, psychologists
need the following conditions:
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provisions for
timely access to appropriate, exemplary psychological service for clients |
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funding which
allows for equitable access to psychological services by all clients |
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freedom to advocate
for their clients' psychological needs |
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access to relevant
information from clients and from other health care providers about clients'
physical and psychological health, thus enabling the best quality care to be
provided |
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authority to keep
information about clients in confidence unless disclosure is required under
the mandate of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists |
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assurance that data
generated in their work environments will not be compiled, sold or otherwise
used in a manner compromising their privacy or that of their clients, except
as authorized by law |
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freedom to provide
or refuse service to a client or to continue or discontinue a professional
relationship |
Ethical
Professional Practice
Psychologists
practice their profession in the service of their clients and society and
collaborate with other providers of psychological service to this end. In
order to discharge their professional responsibilities, psychologists need the
following conditions:
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freedom to practice
psychology in full accordance with professional and personal values, within
the bounds of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists |
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authority to work
in compliance with the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists in their work
environments |
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regulation by
self-governing, professional psychological bodies |
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freedom to practice
psychology to the full extent of their competency, subject to licensure |
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freedom to inform
clients of all appropriate options relevant to their care and to have clinical
autonomy in recommending care |
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authority to choose
and implement the best and most appropriate psychological assessments and
interventions consistent with their clients' needs and preferences |
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time and
opportunity for adequate career-maintenance, professional development and
collegial activities |
Fairness
Like all persons,
psychologists deserve fair treatment in matters concerning their individual and
collective interests. Therefore, during training and practice,
psychologists need the following conditions:
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freedom to work and
act in spirit of respect for self and others |
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respect
procedurally with regard to policy, legal, contractual, administrative and
disciplinary decision-making concerning themselves |
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access into
psychological training and delivery systems on the basis of professionally
accepted standards |
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provision for
professional input into development and delivery of psychological services |
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assurance that
psychologists will be appointed to professional staffs on the basis of
required professional credentials, competence and performance |
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remuneration which
is reasonable over the full spectrum of professional services, including
administration, teaching, research and committee work |
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provision for
reasonable consideration and compensation when facilities and programs are
discontinued, reduced or transferred |
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compliance by those
employing psychologists with regard to the Canadian Code of Ethics and Code of
Con duct for Psychologists |
Quality of Life
Psychologists are
committed to balancing professional demands with their need for quality of life
and personal health maintenance. Therefore, psychologists need the
following conditions:
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freedom from
harassment, discrimination, intimidation or violence while in training and
throughout their professional career |
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access to
appropriate resources for dealing with personal or professional problems that
affect how they function in their work as psychologists |
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freedom from
reprisal when they report in good faith unsafe or unethical practices and
conditions bearing on client or personal welfare |
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access to
information needed to safeguard their personal health and safety, while
respecting client confidentiality |
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power to have input
into processes which will ensure personal health and safety in the work place |
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scheduling in the
provision of psychological services and psychologist training that balances
both their ability to provide quality care and their need to have time for
personal life and health |
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provision for
adequate and affordable psychological liability protection |
Work Environments
Psychologists play a
vital role in work environments that encompass research, private practice,
school, health, business and industry. In order to preserve and promote
quality within work environments psychologists need the following conditions:
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involvement in work
environment reform and policy planning |
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consultation
regarding issues related to service delivery, payment, funding and terms and
conditions of work |
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assurance that
changes to work environments will respect psychologists' liberty to have
choices |
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assurance that
members of differing work environments respect their client-psychologist
relationship, continuity of care and the clients' freedom in the choice of
psychologist |
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freedom to
associate for collective bargaining where applicable |
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representation
formally in negotiations on issues of work environment reform, service
delivery, payment, funding and terms and conditions of work |
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resources and
funding for psychological services to be negotiated by provincial psychology
associations and allocation directly to psychologists |
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resources
sufficient to allow for the efficient, effective and professional delivery and
management of psychological care under reasonable and humane working
conditions |
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