Significance of Ethical and Professional Behaviours in Occupational Therapy

Component 1:

Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Discussion........................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................5

Introduction
Healthcare professionals are required to follow the ethical principle and maintain
professional behaviour in their practice (Health and Care Professions Council,
2014). This assignment will use the case study of Mrs. Khan to outline the significance
of ethical and professional behaviours related to professional conduct of an
Occupational Therapist (OT). It will focus on two topics from the mandatory training list which
are safeguarding adults and mental capacity and informed consent.
Discussion
Mrs. Khan can be considered as a vulnerable adult by the OT as she is unable to take
care of herself due to her reduced ability and so she cannot safeguard herself against
any significant harm or abuse. It can be regarded that she needs community care
services. As per Care Quality Commission (CQC), safeguarding is protecting the health,
wellbeing and human rights of Mrs. Khan and enabling her to live a live life without any
kind of harm, abuse or neglect. Safeguarding is considered as a fundamental aspect to
quality health and social care (CQC, 2017). Aged people like Mrs. Khan are an easy target
for physical abuse, neglect and financial abuse in the community as well as family. It is
because aged population are the physically weaker segment of the society because of
their reduced health status. The stronger segment like younger family members can
overpower them, for example in this case Mrs. Khan was a victim of his son’s potential
physical and mental abuse. Working ethics code make sure that Mrs. Khan is not
discriminated and receives equal treatment in spite of her vulnerabilities. OT will follow
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) ethical standards so that an unbiased
treatment is given to her (HCPC, 2016). OT must follow the ethical principles of non-
maleficence, beneficence, autonomy and justice should be followed to enable Mrs.
Khan’s safeguarding and handle the matter of her vulnerability. Principle of non-
maleficence suggests do not harm, so the OT must ensure that his care delivery or
communication is not harming Mrs. Khan directly or indirectly. Moreover, the OT should
ensure that Mrs. Khan’s living situation with her son should be improved so she does
not become victim of abuse. Principle of beneficence indicates being beneficial to the