The shared Code of conduct
The shared Code of conduct (the code) applies to registered health practitioners in 12 professions including dentistry. The code sets out National Boards’ expectations of ethical and professional conduct for the health practitioners they regulate. It is governed by AHPRA.
The code outlines 11 principles which include information about how to apply the code in practice. Underpinning the code is the expectation that practitioners will use their professional judgement to achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients.
The code outlines 11 principles which include information about how to apply the code in practice. Underpinning the code is the expectation that practitioners will use their professional judgement to achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients.
Put patients first – Safe, effective and collaborative practice
Principle 1. Practitioners should practise safely, effectively and in partnership with patients and colleagues, using patient-centred approaches, and informed by the best available evidence to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and cultural safety
Principle 2. Practitioners should consider the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their health and cultural safety, including the need to foster open, honest and culturally safe professional relationships.
Respectful and culturally safe practice for all
Principle 3. Respectful, culturally safe practice requires practitioners to have knowledge of how their own culture, values, attitudes, assumptions and beliefs influence their interactions with people and families, the community and colleagues. Practitioners should communicate with all patients in a respectful way and meet their privacy and confidentiality obligations including when communicating online.
Working with patients
Principle 4. Basing relationships on respect, trust and effective communication enables practitioners to work in partnership with patients. Practitioners should maintain effective and professional relationships with their patients and provide explanations that enable patients to understand and participate in their care.
Working with other practitioners
Principle 5. Good relationships with colleagues and other practitioners strengthen the practitioner-patient relationship, collaboration and enhance patient care. Good relationships require health care to be free of discrimination, bullying and harassment.
Working within the healthcare system
Principle 6. Practitioners have a responsibility to contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the healthcare system and use resources wisely.
Minimising risk to patients
Principle 7. Good practice involves putting patient safety, which includes cultural safety, first. Practitioners should minimise risk by maintaining their professional capability through ongoing professional development and self-reflection and understanding and applying the principles of clinical governance, risk minimisation and management in practice.
Professional behaviour
Principle 8. Practitioners must display a standard of professional behaviour that warrants the trust and respect of the community. This includes practising ethically and honestly.
Maintaining practitioner health and wellbeing
Principle 9. For practitioner it is paramount to take care of their health and well being. among other factors, this includes the adoption of appropriate work life balance.
Teaching, supervising and assessing
Principle 10. In order to develop the workforce for future healthcare needs, the practitioner should support and strive for important role of teaching, supervising and mentoring practitioners and students.
Ethical research
Principle 11. Practitioners should recognise the vital role of ethical and evidence-based research to inform quality healthcare and policy development, conduct research ethically and support the decision-making of research participants.