Professional and Ethical Standards Flashcards

A hearing instrument specialist discovers a client purchased amplification elsewhere but returns asking for adjustments. What is the ethical course of action?

Answer: Provide service and charge appropriately, treating them with the same professional standard

IHS ethics require treating all patients with equal professional care regardless of where they purchased their devices.

Under IHS ethical guidelines, which practice constitutes fee splitting?

Answer: Accepting a referral fee from a physician for each patient referred to your practice

Accepting payment in exchange for referrals is fee splitting, which is prohibited under IHS professional ethics.

An IHS member is asked by a marketing company to share client contact information for a promotional campaign. What should the specialist do?

Answer: Decline unless the client has provided explicit written consent

Client information is confidential and may not be shared for marketing purposes without explicit client consent under HIPAA and IHS ethics.

Which behavior best demonstrates adherence to IHS's principle of honesty in advertising?

Answer: Listing credentials and services accurately without unsubstantiated claims

IHS standards require that advertising be truthful, non-deceptive, and free from unsubstantiated superiority claims.

A client with moderate hearing loss insists on the cheapest possible device against your clinical recommendation. What is the ethical response?

Answer: Fully inform the client of the clinical limitations and document their informed decision

Respecting patient autonomy means fully disclosing risks and documenting an informed choice, even if it differs from your recommendation.

What does the IHS Code of Ethics require regarding a member's obligation to keep professional knowledge current?

Answer: Members have an ongoing duty to maintain and improve their professional competence through continuing education

IHS ethics mandate ongoing professional development to ensure members provide competent, up-to-date care.

A colleague asks you to sign off on a hearing evaluation you did not personally conduct. What is the correct action?

Answer: Refuse, as signing documentation for evaluations you did not perform is fraudulent

Signing evaluation records you did not personally conduct constitutes fraud and violates IHS professional standards.