TOTA Code of Ethics
Section I - Responsibilities towards patients/clients and their care providers
• Occupational therapy personnel shall dem onstrate sincere concern for the wellbeing of
patients/clients and their providers and act in the best interests of the individuals /groups as the
foremost consideration, at all times preventing and avoiding harm (beneficence).
• Occupational therapy services shall be provided equitably and shall not allow prejudice or
discrimination toward a patient/client on the basis of race, culture, language, gender, age, sexual
orientation, disability, socio-economic status, to result in an infringement of their privileges or
rights. Neither personal bias nor personal favor shall be permitted to influence service delivery.
• Occupational therapy practitioners shall fulfill their duty of reasonable care to patients/clients
whom they have accepted for intervention.
• Occupational therapy personnel shall respect the autonomy of the patient/client throughout all
phases of the intervention process.
• Practitioners shall respect the patient’s uniqueness and right to self determination, to make
choices and decisions about their own health and welfare, to refuse treatment and to seek a
second opinion.
• Occupational therapy practitioners shall provide sufficient and accurate information of the
nature, risks, potential outcomes, limitations of occupational therapy intervention, as well as
alternate intervention options, to the patient/client to enable informed consent. The practitioner
shall not withhold information or mislead the patient/client in any manner that would limit his/her
autonomy. Such information will be provided in a form and language which makes it possible for
the information to be useful and understood, without causing undue alarm or engendering
feelings of helplessness.
• Informed consent will be obtained prior to commencing intervention. Except in exceptional
instances, such as a child, uncommunicative or mentally ill individual, informed consent will be
obtained to the extent and at the stage in which the person is able to provide such consent.
Where necessary the informed consent of the parent/guardian shall be obtained.
• The dignity and privacy of the patient/client shall be respected at all times.
• Personal information about a patient/client learnt both inside or outside of the practice situation
shall be kept confidential unless the patient/client gives consent, there is legal justification for
disclosure or where a real risk of serious harm, injury or damage to third party/public exists.
• The occupational therapy personnel shall not deliberately cause harm to be inflicted on the
patient/client. Reasonable precautions shall be taken to protect the patient (non-malfeasance).
• The practitioner shall avoid any relationship or activity that may exploit the patient/client or that
may be deemed to compromise professional integrity, the therapist-patient/client relationship or
professional independence of the practitioner.
• Occupational therapy personnel shall not engage in or condone any beh avior or activity which
inflicts unnecessary or avoidable pain, causes mental or physical distress, neglect, or exploitation
of a patient/ client.
Section II- Responsibilities towards colleagues
• Occupational therapy personnel shall treat colleagues and other professionals with fairness,
discretion and integrity.
• Any reference to the quality of service rendered by, or the integrity of, a professional colleague
will be expressed with due care to protect the reputation of the person.
• Occupational therapy personnel shall take adequate measures to discourage, prevent, expose
and correct any breaches of this Code of Ethics to the appropriate authority.
• The occupational therapist shall be vicariously liable for the actions or omissions of auxiliary
staff who practice under their supervision; and shall maintain ultimate responsibility for
patient/client care.
• Supervision shall be provided at a level appropriate to the level of competence of the individuals
for whom they have responsibility.
• Occupational therapy personnel shall respect the needs, competencies and responsibilities of
other professions and groups within their working environment.
Section III - Responsibilities towards the community
• Occupational therapy personnel shall respect the rights of individuals and groups in the
community and take due cognizance of the diverse values, cultural belief and structures within
any community.
• Occupational therapy personnel shall develop policies, programmes and priorities through using
processes that ensure opportunity for input from community members; decision making shall be
an interactive, collective process.
• Occupational therapy personnel should advocate and work for the empowerment of
disenfranchised community members and shall ensure an equitable distribution of resources.
• Occupational therapy services shall be equitable, affordable and accessible.
• Occupational therapy personnel shall make every effort to ensure that services are available
and accessible to those in need.
• Occupational therapy personnel shall ensure professional competency in contributing to
promotion and protection of the health and wellbeing of community members.
• Research undertaken should be socially responsible and conducted in an ethical manner with
due respect of human rights. The results of such research will be accurately and openly
presented, with due acknowledgement of all sources of assistance and information.
Section IV – Personal/professional integrity
• An Occupational therapist shall recognize and accept responsibility to the relevant employing
agency, to other healthcare colleagues, and to the community at large.
• Maintain comprehensive and up to date records of professional activities, which include the
nature, extent, duration and outcome of occupational therapy intervention.
• Co-operate and maintain appropriate communication with other health care colleagues or
service dealing with the client in order that the combined desired results are achieved in the
treatment of that client..
• Be professionally responsible for all treatment and services rendered by the occupational
therapist, or by other personnel including students who are under the direct supervision of the
occupational therapist.
• Respect and uphold the dignity of each individual with whom the oc cupational therapist is
associated within the profession of occupational therapy.
Provide no misrepresentation regarding information relating to the practice of the profession of
occupational therapy or regarding the provision of occupational therapy services of individual
clients
Maintain an appropriate relationship with members of the public in order to facilitate the
promotion of the goals and functions of the profession of occupational therapy.
Occupational therapists must not accept tokens such as favors, gifts or hospitality from clients
and their families or commercial organizations when this might be construed as seeking to obtain
preferential treatment.
Section V – Developing professional knowledge.
• Occupational therapists participate in professional development through life long learning and
subsequently applying their acquired knowledge, skill and attitudes in the interest of high quality
care.
• Occupational therapists shall be personally responsible for actively maintaining and developing
their professional competence e.g. through research and continuing education
•Occupational therapists shall base services delivery on accurate and current information.
Section VI - Promotion of the profession
• Occupational therapists are committed to the improvement and development of the profession
in general.
• Occupational therapists are also concerned with promoting occupational therapy to the public
other professional organizations and government bodies at district, regional, national and
international level.
• Occupational therapists have a professional responsibility to participate in the education of
occupational therapy students particularly in the area of fieldwork education.
