Business Ethics

ABSTRACT

Consideration of the elements that constitute an ethical business is the first step in realizing that additional elements make up a professional ethic. The Code of Ethics of both the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association incorporate the elements of ethical practice for audiologists. To appreciate the added requirements of professionalism, one needs to understand fully such concepts as public trust, conflict of interest, and personal versus corporate integrity. A few short courses teach the concepts of business ethics; however, there are few required courses that teach ethical concepts to audiologists. The lack of such didactic information does not remove the audiologist from the responsibilities inherent in professional ethics. Further, a personal sense of integrity or honesty is not a sufficient substitute for a professional ethic. Understanding these concepts would seem to be essential to audiology in its quest for autonomy.

KEYWORDS

Professional autonomy - public trust - conflicts of interest - professional autonomy

REFERENCES

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