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Confidentiality In Social Work
Legal and ethical obligations to maintain confidentiality
Legal and ethical obligations to maintain confidentiality
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According to Jacinto & Dziegielewski (2006) throughout the years, maintaining ethical practice (including confidentiality) has been at the forefront in the field of social work. So important, in fact, that in 1996 the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) modified the existing version of the Code of Ethics. Jacinto & Dziegielewski (2006) found, asocial worker should make every attempt possible to adhere to the rules of confidentiality promoting self-determination, but should also be aware that there are some situations that should not be kept confidential. In most cases where maintaining confidentiality is an issue, consideration is needed in order to determine what is “sufficiently compelling to warrant a breach of confidentiality Indeed, there is a growing recognition that numerous cultural, religious and regional differences exist with respect to how privacy and confidentiality (Wulff, St George & Besthorn, 2011). Students just becoming acquainted with their professional discipline may be especially prone to feelings of jeopardy associated with a strict mandate to adhere to the core principle of confidentiality Wulff, St George & Besthorn, 2011). Students are presented with their profession’s specific code of ethics along with a categorical directive to abide by it – often without questions. Students must come come to be understood in disparate parts of both the Western and developing Vidant Health may use and disclose protected health information (PHI) about you without your authorization in the following circumstances (Hospice, 2017). Hospice (2017) states; it is OUR DUTY TO PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION as we are required to do the following: We are required to protect the privacy of health information about you that can identify you (which we call protected health information, or PHI for short). We must give you notice of our legal duties and privacy practices concerning PHI. Hospice (2017) states; HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR INFORMATION We may use and disclose PHI about you without your authorization in the following circumstances: We may use and disclose PHI about you for treatment purposes. Electronic Health Information Exchange (HIE). This facility uses an electronic health information exchange that allows patient information to be shared with providers that are involved in their care (Hospice, 2017). This exchange provides a fast, secure, and reliable way to provide health information to providers (Hospice, 2017). The health information is shared in accordance with this Notice of Privacy Practices and federal and state law. Patients have the right to opt out of the electronic health information exchange
Working with people can be challenging, but so rewarding all at the same time. As humans, we are certainly not perfect and we are making mistakes daily. Making decisions is one thing that does not come easily to us, and depending on the day you can get multiple different answers to one situation. The NASW Code of Ethics is an extremely helpful tool when we are working with clients and something that does not ever waiver in ethical decision-making. If we are working in the Social work profession, then we must insure we are making the correct decision for everyone who is involved with the client.
Moreover, ethical issues are ubiquitous within the field of social work. As such, social workers employed in all facets of the profession, whether it is substance abuse, mental health, among many others encounter ethical issues common and specific to each area. According to the article “Ethical Issues in Addiction Counseling” by Cynthia G. Scott (2000), prominent ethical situations specific to the field of substance abuse include, “confidentiality and privileged communication” (p. 213). In her article Scott (2000) discuss the blurred boundaries of confidentiality with regards to group counseling. The author points out the discrepancy in federal confidentiality laws that prevent the practitioner from sharing confidential information disclosed
I attribute this by our consent interaction with the NASW: Code of Ethics in our social work courses. By the use of journals, it is easy for students to connect ethical issues to practice and know what to do in certain situations. As I am getting ready to become a social worker, keeping this ethical principles fresh in my mind will be important to assure clients are treated with respect and adequate services are provide.
The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Code of Ethics (2010) proposes three core values of Social Work, respect for persons, social justice and professional integrity (pp.12). These core values establish “ethical responsibilities” for the social worker (AASW, 2010, pp.12), specifically, the value of respect for persons, which sustains the intrinsic worth of all human beings as well as the right to wellbeing and self determination consistent with others in society (AASW, 2010,p.12). This Code of Ethics stipulates the duty of care a social worker must provide, a...
The National Association of Social Work's Code of Ethics is not only something that is crucial to someone in the field of Social Work but can also be applied to everyday life. These values in which the Code of Ethics mandates professionals to use are very important in knowing how to help clients in bettering their lives, and in help society as a whole become a better place. Service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence are all the core values of Ethics and should be learned and practiced by all, not only Social Workers (NASW, 2008).
Privacy and confidentiality is a very important concept in the health care system and must be handled carefully to avoid disclosing crucial information about patients.
National Association of Social Workers [NASW]. (1998). The New NASW Code of Ethics Can Be Your Ally: Part I. Retrieved from: http://www.naswma.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=96
As stated in the previous quote, confidentiality is an important concept in medicine and many other different professions. In technical terms, confidentiality is the right of an individual to have personal, medical information kept private (p. 62). It is especially important in the health care profession because as a health care professional, individuals are responsible with the personal information of their clients and are obligated to keep that information from those who it does not concern.
Confidentiality will always be an important component in medical discussions, but confidentiality on the other hand is not a right and has to be stable against counter claims (Chalmers, 2003). Some arguments and facts that were used in the article were how are health care providers supposed to be able to correct the stability? Should overt content always be required from clients for any use of their health care information separately from the direct clinical care? The proof suggests that where the informed consent is needed completeness of health information hurts and unfinished health ...
National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Washington DC: Author.
O’Conner pinpointed ( as cited in Chenoweth& McAuliffe, p. 78) that the code of ethics is clearly linked to the process of professionalization which establishes guideline for professional behavior, assist in establishing a professional identity, provide self-regulation measures, protect clients from incompetent practitioners and protect worker from malpractice lawsuits. The primary responsibility of worker is to promote the well-being of clients. As a disability worker, Code of ethics is intended to assist all workers collectively and individually to act in ethically accountable ways. It helps to identify the ideals and purpose of the social work profession. In instances when clients are not receiving services, the worker should provide information about nature and extent of services.. In the same way, in the field of disability, the code of ethics is the core document which informs and guides the ethical practice of disability worker (AAAW, 2010). The human services professional protects the integrity, safety, and security of clients records, and the professional should be aware that
...ise their professional skills and maintain discretion. Confidentiality is a big issue in social work.
The National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of Ethics (English and Spanish). Retrieved July 7, 2014, from http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code /code.asp
All social workers are beholden to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. Professional ethics are the main core of social work. The profession has an obligation to articulate its basic values, ethical principles, and ethical standards. The code is composed of thematic sections that outline a social worker’s responsibility to clients, colleagues, employers, and the profession. Some responsibilities that a social worker has to a client are that the clients are their primary responsibility, fostering maximum self-determination in clients, respecting the privacy of clients, keeping information that has been shared during the course of their duties confidential and charging fees for services that are fair and considerate
The social work profession and its Code of Ethics dictate that social workers must act in the best interest of the client, even when those actions challenge the practitioner’s personal, cultural and religious values. In practice; however, ethical decision-making is more complex than in theory. As helping professionals, social workers are constantly faced with ethical decision-making or ethical dilemmas. As noted by Banks (2005), an ethical dilemma occurs “when a worker is faced with a choice between two equally unwelcome alternatives that may involve a conflict of moral principles, and it is not clear what choice will be the right one” (as cited in McAuliffe & Chenoweth, 2008, p. 43). In addition, ethical decision-making is a process that