BHPA

Code of Professional Conduct

Version 0.1 (07/01/2014)

Introduction
This code of professional conduct is based on the following publications/references:

  • EFOMP Policy Statement Nr 11: Guidelines on Professional Conduct and Procedures to Be Implemented in the Event of Alleged Misconduct, Physica Medica 14 (3), 2003
  • IAEA Human Health Series Nr 25: Roles and Responsibilities, and Education and Training Requirements for Clinically Qualified Medical Physicists, IAEA 2013
  • AAPM Report Nr 109: Code of Ethics for the American Association of Physicists in Medicine: Report of Task Group 109, Medical Physics 36 (1), 2009
  • ABR/BVS Code of Ethics, ABR/BVS 2009

Code of professional conduct

Following general principles are standards of ethical and professional conduct to help medical physicists to perform their duties and to conduct themselves in a professional way, showing respect to patients, their colleagues and the public.
Members shall abide by the following principles:

  1. Strive to provide the best quality patient care with competent and professional service. Ensure that the safety, well-being, interests and dignity of patients are promoted and safeguarded at all times. 
  2. Work according to the guidelines, recommendations and protocols as advised by the BHPA. Strive to participate in development of these documents and/or providing feedback on them. 
  3. Safeguard patient and professional confidences and privacy. Respect confidential information obtained on patients in the course of professional practice and/or education.
  4. Respect the rights of patients, colleagues, health professionals and those in training.
  5. Recognize one’s own and others’ limitations with respect to knowledge/skills/competences and time. Seek consultations and assistance when indicated. Refuse assignments or responsibilities that are beyond one’s abilities or competences. Be aware of workload pressures on those working under your authority and take action if these could threaten quality and/or safe standards of practice.
  6. Respect the law and regulatory requirements for the safe and effective practice of the profession. Do not undertake employment or consultation which is contrary to the law or the public’s welfare.
  7. Be honest in all professional interactions and in one’s own work. Avoid conduct that may be derogatory to the dignity of the profession. All relations with employers, co-workers, governmental agencies and the general public shall be based upon and shall reflect the highest standard of integrity and
  8. Ensure open and collegial relationships with peers and other (health) professionals based on mutual respect. Work in a collaborative and cooperative manner with other (health care) professionals, recognizing and respecting their particular contributions and responsibilities to health care and quality management.
  9. Do not behave in a manner that suggests you are a qualified medical practitioner. Direct involvement with patients in diagnosis or treatment of injury or disease must be undertaken either in accordance with an agreed system of work or at the direct request of a medical practitioner.
  10. Disclose conflicts of interest when financial or other personal considerations may compromise or appear to affect one’s own professional judgment. Inform all involved parties in writing of any conflict between service to them and one’s own personal interests.
  11. Be truthful in your own work, including research. Work based on accepted scientific principles, and cite prior work when applicable. Maintain proper professional standards in research and development and prevent the dissemination of fraudulent or intentionally biased results.
  12. Strive to improve one’s professional knowledge and skills, and share them with colleagues and those in training. Take all reasonable steps to maintain and develop one’s competences and help colleagues working with or under one’s supervision to do the same. Take all reasonable measures to ensure that those working under your authority are competent to carry out the tasks assigned to them and have appropriate resources.
  13. Give advice that is, to the best of your ability, objective and reliable. Take all reasonable steps to ensure that a person rejecting such advice, particularly with respect to safety standards, is aware of the consequences. Inform management if necessary. 
  14.  Report any incident or errors that may occur in the line of work that might affect or has affected the diagnosis and/or the treatment process of any patient.