1-7.
PROFESSIONAL CODES OF CONDUCT
a. Ethical Behavior, Good Conduct, and Responsibilities to Other Members
of the Profession. A code of conduct spells out ethical behavior. But, it also specifies
rules of etiquette (good practice), patient's rights, and responsibilities to other members
of the profession. If you consider the code of ethics for x-ray technologists (figure 1-3),
you will see examples of these different types of standards.
b. Professional Codes vs General Moral Codes. Whereas professional
codes govern the behavior of groups such as radiographers, nurses, psychologists and
physicians, general moral codes govern whole societies and apply to everyone alike. A
general moral code consists of a society's cherished moral principles and rules.
Professional codes specify action-guides for a particular group, such as social workers.
These action-guides should reflect the more general principles and the rules of society
at large. An example of a rule from the general moral code would be, "You have an
obligation to keep promises."
(1) Human need and professional obligation. Some of the broad ethical
theories of the general moral code relate to human need and professional obligation. It
is assumed, for example, that human life is worth saving, that the condition of our fellow
man or woman is worth alleviating, and that certain human rights exist. It should be
noted that while the broad ethical theories are not explicitly stated in the code of ethics,
reference to these theories can provide justification for the principles set forth in these
codes.
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