Code of Ethics

Intestinal Health Institute (IHI)

Code of Ethics
(c) 2003 All rights reserved

This Code of Ethics is a result of reflecting on what is important for the Colon Hydrotherapist to guide them in their field. I looked into the work of many schools and have receive permission from the International School for Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy to use any or all of their Code of Ethics. It is comprehensive and excellent and I adapt it to the field of Colon Hydrotherapy.

Preamble

The pursuit of wholeness and well-being requires dedication, discipline and vision. The Intestinal Health Institute (IHI) believes in the dignity and worth of the individual human being. The IHI is committed to increasing physical, spiritual and emotional well-being. While pursuing this endeavor, the IHI is committed to having its students and staff protect the welfare of any person who may seek colon hydrotherapy. Students or staff do not use this professional relationship, nor knowingly permit their services to be used by another for purposed inconsistent with these values.

As a school, the IHI demands freedom of inquiry and communication; accepts the responsibility this freedom confers, for competence where the IHI claims it, for objectivity in the report of our findings, and for consideration of the best interest of our students, faculty, clients, colleagues and society. This Code of Ethics is a blueprint containing essential principles that may guide students, staff and graduates in the evolution of their personal and professional lives.

In the pursuit of these ideals the IHI subscribes to principles in the following areas: 1) responsibility; 2) competence; 3) moral and legal standards; 4) public statements; 5) confidentiality; 6) welfare of the consumer; 7) professional relationships; and 8) sexual harassment policy.

Principle 1 - Responsibility

In providing services whether they are teaching, research, administrative or clinical, colon hydrotherapists maintain the highest standards of this profession. They accept responsibility for the consequences for their acts and make every effort to ensure that their services are used appropriately. This responsibility extends to approved faculty, administrative staff and any other person in a position of authority or power.

a. As approved faculty, colon hydrotherapists recognize their primary obligation to help others acquire knowledge and skill. They maintain high standards of scholarship by presenting information objectively, fully and accurately.

b. As clinicians, colon hydrotherapists know that they have a social responsibility because their recommendations and professional actions may alter the lives of others. They are alert to personal, social, organizational, financial, or political situations and pressures that might lead to misuse of their influence.

c. As clinicians, colon hydrotherapists show sensible regard for the social codes and moral expectations of the community in which they work, recognizing that violation of accepted moral and legal standards on their part may involve their clients and colleagues in damaging personal conflicts and injure their personal reputation and the reputation of the profession.

d. Colon hydrotherapists accurately inform their clients, other healthcare practitioners and the public of the scope and limitations of their discipline. They do not diagnose nor prescribe. They acknowledge limitations and contraindications for colon hydrotherapy and refer appropriately.

e. Colon hydrotherapists provide draping and treatment that insures the safety, comfort and privacy of the client.

Principle 2 - Competence

a. Colon hydrotherapists accurately represent their competence, education, training and experience. They claim as evidence for educational qualifications only those degrees and certifications obtained from licensed or accredited institutions or organizations qualified to certify.

b. As teachers, colon hydrotherapists perform their duties based on careful preparation so that their instruction is accurate, current, and scholarly.

c. Colon hydrotherapists recognize the need for continuing education and are open to new procedures and changes in expectations and values over time. Colon hydrotherapists consistently maintain and improve their professional knowledge and competence through regular assessment of personal and professional strengths and weaknesses and by continuing education and training.
Continuing education and training may be achieved in several ways: doing independent study; visiting other Colon Hydrotherapy practices; attending seminars, conferences, or courses; taking correspondent and on-line courses; and being involved in professional organizations.

d. Colon hydrotherapists recognize differences among people, such as age, sex, socio- economic, and ethnic backgrounds. When necessary, they obtain training, experience, or counsel to assure competent service or research relating to such persons or conditions that clients report.

e. Colon hydrotherapists recognize that personal problems and conflicts may interfere with professional effectiveness. Accordingly, they refrain from undertaking any activity in which their personal problems are likely to lead to inadequate performance or harm to a client, colleague, student, or any other associate. If engaged in such activity when they become aware of their personal problems, they seek competent professional assistance to determine whether they should suspend, terminate, or limit the scope of their professional activities.

f. Colon hydrotherapists avoid deliberately provoking an emotional response in their clients with the use of psychological techniques and/or other body centered psychotherapies without an accredited academic degree or appropriate training, a supervised internship or ongoing supervision from a psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

Principle 3 - Moral and Legal Standards

a. As teachers, colon hydrotherapists are aware of the fact that their personal values may affect the selection and presentation of instructional materials. When dealing with topics that may give offense, they recognize and respect the diverse attitudes that students may have towards such materials.

b. As employees or employers, colon hydrotherapists do not engage in or condone practices that are inhumane or that result in illegal or unjustifiable actions. Such practices include but are not limited to those based on consideration of race, handicap, age, gender, sexual preference, religion, or national origin in hiring, promotion, or training.

c. Colon hydrotherapists are aware of their need for personal care and ongoing psychotherapy when working with psychological issues arising in their private practice between themselves and their clients. Colon hydrotherapists strive to improve themselves not only through psychotherapy but also psychological supervision from a qualified mental health counselor, group support, body centered therapy and especially continuing education.

d. Colon hydrotherapists follow all policies, guidelines, regulations, codes and requirements promulgated by local, state and national authorities governing their legal right to practice colon hydrotherapy.

e. Colon hydrotherapists receive informed consent for every specific technique or modality they intend to use with a client. This includes the responsibility of informing the client during a session when the original contract has changed. Informed consent depends strongly on mutual trust, empathetic and compassionate attitudes and behavior as well as the capacity for clear communication.

f. Colon hydrotherapists refuse any gifts or benefits in excess of acceptable gratuity that are intended to influence a referral, a decision or a treatment.

Principle 4- Public Statements

a. When announcing or advertising professional services, colon hydrotherapists may list the following information to describe their services: name, highest relevant academic degree earned from a regionally accredited institution, relevant certifications or diplomas from approved trainings, date, type, and level of certification or licensure, professional membership status, address, telephone number, office hours, a brief listing of the type of modalities offered, and an accurate presentation of fee information, foreign languages spoken, and policy with regard to third party payments. Additional relevant or consumer information may be included if not prohibited by other rules and regulations in an individual's locale or by scope of practice.

b. In announcing or advertising the availability of colon hydrotherapy products, publications or services, colon hydrotherapists do not present their affiliation with any organization in a manner that falsely implies sponsorship or certification by that organization. Colon hydrotherapists do not make public statements that are false, fraudulent, misleading, deceptive or unfair. They do not misinterpret facts or make statements that are likely to mislead or deceive because in context it makes only a partial disclosure of relevant facts For example, a colon hydrotherapist does not make statements that make another style of colon hydrotherapy appear less than or the therapist(s) in question as more than.

c. Colon hydrotherapists do not use testimonials from clients regarding the quality of their clinical services nor do they use statements intended or likely to create false or unjustified expectations of favorable results such as suggesting their work is research based, nor do they use statements implying unusual, unique or one-of-a-kind abilities; nor do they use statements intended or likely to appeal to a client's fears, anxieties, or emotions concerning the possible results of failure to obtain their services such as, "Do you want your fibromyalgia to drag on forever?" or "Without this kind of treatment you may experience more symptoms," etc.

d. Announcements or advertisements for classes, sessions or clinics give a clear statement of purpose and a clear description of the experiences to be provided.

e. The education, training, and experience of the staff members are appropriately specified. Colon hydrotherapists associated with the development or promotion of colon hydrotherapy devices, books, or other products offered for commercial sale make reasonable efforts to ensure that announcements and advertisements are presented in a professional, and factually informative manner.

f. Colon hydrotherapists are guided by the primary obligation to aid the public in developing informed judgments, opinions, and choices.

g. As teachers, colon hydrotherapists ensure that statements in catalogues and course outlines are accurate and not misleading, particularly in terms of subject matter to be covered, basis for evaluating progress, the nature of course experiences and who is teaching the course. Announcements, brochures or advertisements describing workshops, seminars, or other educational programs accurately describe the eligibility requirements, educational objectives, and the nature of the materials to be covered. These announcements also accurately represent the education, training, and experience of the colon hydrotherapists presenting the programs and any fees involved.

Principle 5 - Confidentiality

a. Information obtained in the classroom, clinic or consulting relationships or evaluative data concerning children, students, employees, and others, is discussed only for professional purposes and only with those clearly concerned with such and with the client's permission. Written and oral reports present only data germane to the purposes of the evaluation, and every effort is made to avoid undue invasion of privacy.
b. Colon hydrotherapists who present personal information obtained during the course of professional work in writings, lectures, or other public forums either obtain adequate prior consent to do so or adequately disguise all identifying information.

c. All classroom processes are considered confidential and all staff, instructors and students are expected to honor and maintain the confidentiality of the classroom.

d. Colon hydrotherapists provide treatment only when there is reasonable expectation that it will be advantageous to the client.

e. Colon hydrotherapists respect the client's right to refuse, modify or terminate treatment regardless of prior consent given. Colon hydrotherapists promote active verbal input by the client.

f. Colon hydrotherapists respect the client's boundaries about emotional expression, beliefs, and reasonable expectations of professional behavior. Colon hydrotherapists respect their clients’ autonomy. The same is true for teachers of colon hydrotherapy and their students.

Principle 6 - Welfare of the Consumer

a. Colon hydrotherapists are continually cognizant of their own needs and of their potentially influential position with clients, students, and subordinates. They avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of such persons. Colon hydrotherapists make every effort to avoid dual relationships that could impair their professional judgment or increase the risk of exploitation. Examples of such dual relationships include, but are not limited to, socializing, doing research with, treating or engaging in a fiduciary relationship with employees, students, supervisees, close friends, or relatives.

b. Sexual intimacies with clients are unethical. Hiring a student, socializing with students, hiring family members are examples of dual relationships.

c. Teachers may not do private sessions with students during a training period, or in- between training segments unless otherwise required as a prerequisite to the training itself.

d. Colon hydrotherapists have the right to refuse to attend prospective clients. However once accepted, they owe their clients complete loyalty, care, attention, and integrity. Colon hydrotherapists strive to complete all necessary sessions with their clients. They will discontinue services only when self respect, dignity, or other good cause requires this action.

e. Colon hydrotherapists terminate a clinical, teaching, or consulting relationship when it is reasonably clear that the consumer is not benefiting from it. They offer to help the consumer locate alternative sources of assistance.

Principle 7 - Professional Relationships

a. Colon hydrotherapists understand the areas of competence of related professions. They make full use of all the professional, technical, and administrative resources that serve the best interest of their clients. The absence of formal relationships with other professions and professional workers does not relieve the colon hydrotherapist of the responsibility of securing for their clients the best possible professional service, nor does it relieve them of the obligation to exercise foresight, diligence, and tact in obtaining the complementary assistance needed by clients.

b. Colon hydrotherapists know and take into account the traditions and practices of other professional groups, including the massage, chiropractic, oriental, naturopathic, medical and osteopathic communities. They work and cooperate fully with such groups.
If a person is receiving similar services from another professional, colon hydrotherapists do not offer their own services directly to such a person.

If a person who is already receiving similar services from another professional contacts a colon hydrotherapist, he or she carefully considers that professional relationship and proceeds with caution and sensitivity in regards to the therapeutic issues as well as the client's welfare. The colon hydrotherapist is obligated to discuss these issues with the client to minimize the risk of confusion and conflict.

c. Colon hydrotherapists do not exploit their professional relationships with clients, supervisees, students, employees or others sexually or otherwise.

d. As colon hydrotherapists, the client is considered the best and final authority about their own welfare. Colon hydrotherapists seek at all times to further that understanding; at no time do they endeavor to assume that function for themselves. When a client is not competent to evaluate the situation (for example, in the case of a child), colon hydrotherapists inform the person responsible for the client of the circumstances, which may influence the relationship.

Principle 8 - Sexual Harassment Policy

IHI staff, students and approved faculty reaffirm their commitment to the maintenance of study and work environments free of inappropriate and disrespectful conduct of a sexually harassing nature. This includes all colon hydrotherapists and their relationships with their clients as well as faculty, administrative staff or others in a position of authority and power. Sexual harassment - of any member of the IHI community by another or with any client or student of a colon hydrotherapist - is damaging and furthermore may be interpreted to be in violation of the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the of the 1972 Education Amendments.

It is the policy of IHI, that no member of IHI may sexually harass another person. Anyone who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action that may include suspension or termination. Complaints of sexual harassment should promptly be reported to the office of the IHI. Every effort will be made to resolve the problem on an informal basis in such a way as to preserve the reputation, confidentiality and integrity of every person involved. Disciplinary action will be taken toward the harasser if a complaint is determined to be valid. Complaints found to be motivated by the malicious intent of the person claiming to have been harassed rather than actual harassment will result in disciplinary action towards the accuser.

Sexual harassment refers to behavior which is not welcome, which is personally offensive, which debilitates morale, and which interferes with academic or work effectiveness of the receiver. It is usually imposed on a person in an unequal power relationship through abuse of authority but may also occur from friends and colleagues. Central to this concept is the use of implied rewards or threat of deprivation in a coercive attempt to solicit sexual attention. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute harassment when:

a. Submission to such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic success;

b. Submission to, or rejection of such conduct by an individual, is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting such individual; or

c. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working, clinical, or study environment. It is debilitating to the recipient's morale. Federal law states, "sexual harassment is clearly unwelcome by any reasonable person."

When there is a complaint against a member of the IHI with respect to ethics or any other matter, IHI pledges to respond to that complaint immediately and in a spirit of fairness and compassion for all parties. IHI does not consider that punitive action is the most just or efficacious form of discipline, seeking rather to heal the dispute and find ways of resolving the conflict between the two parties. IHI recognizes that competition, mistrust, or the spreading of rumors destroys the spirit of kindness and union that is the heart of any human association. Whenever possible, students, staff and approved IHI instructors will be given a single warning verbally or in writing prior to an official notice of dismissal.

Suggested Reading

1. Kylea Taylor, The Ethics of Caring, Santa Cruz, CA, Hanford Mead Publishers, 1995.
2. Ruth Purtilo, Ethical Dimensions in the Health Profession. (2 ed), Philadelphia, PA, W B Saunders Co., 1993.