Code of Ethics 

PREAMBLE

The Alberta Association of Practicing Herbalists (AAPH) is a voluntary self-governing professional organization that serves the diverse needs and goals of its membership and provides support to those interested in herbal medicine. The AAPH Code of Ethics is intended to represent the highest standards of Herbology, and thereby earn the finest respect, recognition for the profession of Herbology and it’s practitioners.

Fundamental Responsibilities

Our obligations are to:

1.      Our clients;

2.      Our profession;

3.      Our colleagues;

4.      The general public.

This Code consists of 5 key elements:

1.      A vision and mission statement which serves to identify the AAPH’s commitment to healing and wellness and the development of Natural Health Practitioners.

2.      Ethical standards and duties of the herbal practitioner to the client.

3.      Ethical standards and duties of the herbal practitioners to the profession and to each other.

4.      Ethical standards and duties of herbal practitioners to the public.

5.      Responsibilities to prevent “Harm to our Clients” (Non-maleficence)

Section 1 – Vision and Mission Statement

Vision Statement
To define, enhance and protect the future of herbal practice in the Province of Alberta.

Mission Statement
Through open fellowship and collaboration, to allow herbal practitioners and associates:
• Ethical and honorable standards for scope of practice, education and professionalism.
• Accountability and adverse reaction reporting.
• Advisory assistance when needed.
• Increased public awareness and education.
• Assistance to government and other agencies and institutions in recognizing our role in facilitating health and wellness.

Section 2 - Ethical standards and duties of the herbal practitioner to the client.

As Natural Health Practitioners, AAPH members are committed to enhancing the wellbeing of their clients by acting positively on their behalf and actively supporting their health and wellbeing.

Practitioners will:

1.      Respect the clients right to privacy.

2.      Respect the client’s values, opinions, needs and cultural beliefs with respect to treatment.

3.      Provide comfortable and professional space for client visits.

4.      Serve the client’s health needs, in the best interest of the client.

5.      Strive for the highest quality of Natural Healthcare achievable.

6.      Maintain professional competence through continuing education.

7.      Refer to other Health Care Professionals or Doctors when indicated.

8.      Respond to the client as often as is necessary to ensure continued favorable progress, and will avoid unnecessary visits.

9.      Ensure the client has the right to select his own method of healing and his doctor shall be recognized and respected.

10.          Believe in the highest level of personal and professional integrity in the pursuit and delivery of Natural Health Services.

Section 3 - Ethical standards and duties of the herbal practitioners to the profession and to each other.

1.       The honor and dignity of the profession of Herbology may be upheld, its sphere of influence expanded, and its science advanced through the collective association of all Herbal Practitioners in provincial, and national organizations. Hence, it is the professional duty of each Herbal Practitioner to associate them with and support such bodies.

2.       In order for the Herbal Practitioner to possess the highest degree of skill and professional knowledge, it shall be their responsibility to keep abreast of all new developments in the basic and therapeutic sciences by attending conventions, post-graduate courses, and by subscribing to professional journals and publications

3.       To enrich the philosophy, art and science of Herbology; to elevate the position of the profession; and always conduct themselves as a person of pure character and high moral standards.

4.       Herbal Practitioners should adhere to the prescribed Schedule of Fees agreed upon by members of their provincial associations and as a point of honor shall adhere to these standards with as much uniformity as varying conditions permit. It is unethical to “split” fees or receive a commission in the referral of clients.

5.       Any public relations program whether through internet, newspapers, directories, direct mail or periodicals should deal strictly with the philosophy, art and science of Herbology, and should never promise cures or radical results.

6.       Herbal Practitioners shall safeguard their profession by exposing those who might practice or attempt to practice without proper credentials, and by reporting unethical acts to the proper authorities.

Section 4 - Ethical standards and duties of herbal practitioners to the public.

1.       A Herbal Practitioner should be ready and willing to give their experience and counsel to the public on matters pertaining to their profession and its relationship to community welfare.

2.       Herbal Practitioners shall comply with all local regulations concerning reportable diseases.

3.       Herbal Practitioners should be willing to testify in courts of Justice on matters pertaining to the profession, civil lawsuits and professional services extended to the injured.

4.       Herbal Practitioners will not solicit to the point of becoming a bother to the community.

Section 5 - Responsibilities to prevent “Harm to our Clients” (Non-maleficence)

As Herbal Practitioners, AAPH members have a responsibility to do no harm and wherever possible, to prevent harm from occurring to clients. The following are explicit statements of behaviors that AAPH members must demonstrate, in order to prevent harm to their clients.

Practitioners will:

1.       Place the wellbeing and best interests of the client first and foremost and provide competent, conscientious and diligent care with compassion and due regard for the client at all times.

2.       Represent qualifications honestly, including educational achievements and professional affiliations.

3.       Inform the client of the type and scope of service or treatment the practitioner provides.

4.       Inform the client of all applicable fees prior to the commencement of treatment.

5.       Represent honestly the benefits and limitations of treatment.

6.       Only provide Natural Health services within the scope of their competencies.

7.       Make recommendations to the client if the practitioner recognizes a condition is beyond the practitioner’s scope of practice or ability.

8.       Abide by applicable human rights legislation and other applicable laws and regulations supporting ethical practice, and where existent, professional standards.

9.       In providing Natural Health services, refrain from discriminating against any client on such grounds as age, gender, marital status, medical condition, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation or socio-economic status.

10.  Retain and practice the right to refuse to treat any client if the provision of such treatment poses risk or harm either to the client or to the practitioner.

11.  Maintain appropriate boundaries with a client and refrain from initiating or engaging in any sexual conduct, any sexual activities, or any sexual behavior involving a client.

12.  Respect the client’s right, subject to applicable privacy legislation, to control the collection, use, disclosure of and access to his or her information, and practice within relevant laws, governing privacy and confidentiality of personal health information.

13.  Share client information only with the client’s informed consent or as may be legally required or where the failure to disclose would cause significant harm.

14.  Refrain from treating a client when the practitioner’s ability to practice is impaired by drugs, alcohol, a physical or mental ailment, emotional disturbance or addiction to any substance.

15.  Ensure that any research that a member either conducts or participates in is evaluated both scientifically and ethically and complies with all ethical and legal requirements applicable to research.

16.  Refrain from any and all conduct or behavior that diminishes the credibility and honor of the profession.

17.  Report a member to the AAPH and/or the health professional to the applicable authorities, where the practitioner has reasonable grounds to believe that another member or the healthcare professional has engaged in unsafe, unethical or illegal activities.