Professional Conduct & Ethics Flashcards

What is the difference between an ethical dilemma and a legal requirement in professional practice?

Answer: A legal requirement is mandatory; an ethical dilemma involves competing moral considerations where the 'right' answer may not be clear-cut

Legal requirements establish minimum enforceable standards. Ethical dilemmas involve competing moral principles where professional judgement is required. Professionals must meet legal requirements AND act ethically, which may require more.

What is meant by 'therapeutic privilege' and is it compatible with HCPC standards?

Answer: Withholding information from a patient on the grounds it may harm them — generally NOT compatible with HCPC's honesty and autonomy standards

Therapeutic privilege (withholding information to avoid distress) conflicts with patients' rights to information needed for informed consent. HCPC standards on honesty and autonomy strongly discourage this practice.

A service user makes a formal complaint about a healthcare professional's conduct. What is the appropriate professional response?

Answer: Cooperate fully with the investigation, be honest, reflect on the concern, and implement any learning

HCPC standards require registrants to engage cooperately, honestly, and reflectively with complaints processes. Complaints provide opportunities for learning and improvement, even when the professional believes the complaint is unfounded.

Which of the following best describes 'person-centred ethical practice'?

Answer: Making decisions collaboratively with patients that respect their values, preferences, and life context

Person-centred ethics requires professionals to engage with the individual patient's values, preferences, cultural context, and life situation — not just clinical parameters — in making ethical care decisions.

What is the purpose of the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics compared to the Standards of Proficiency?

Answer: The conduct standards set behavioural and ethical expectations for all registrants; the proficiency standards define competencies for each specific profession

The Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (common to all HCPC professions) govern how registrants behave professionally. The Standards of Proficiency are profession-specific competency standards required to practise.

A newly qualified speech therapist is struggling with clinical workload and makes an error. They feel shame and consider hiding it. What does HCPC require?

Answer: Disclose the error honestly, document it, report through incident systems, and reflect on learning — hiding errors is a professional breach

HCPC standards require openness about errors regardless of severity. The duty of candour, patient safety, and professional integrity all require honest disclosure and incident reporting, not concealment.