Speak Out August 2016 Low Res

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22 Speak Out August 2016
Ethics News
Advertising:
Review websites
There has recently been an increase in the number
of questions from members and discussions with National
Office advisors regarding reviews or ratings on third party or
independent directory or review websites.
The guidelines for registered professions have been
consulted, to bring SPA recommendations to our members
into line with other allied health practice.
SPA’s position on these third party websites is:
According to the Code of Ethics - Advertising Policy, SPA
members are not responsible for removing (or trying to have
removed) unsolicited testimonials or reviews/ratings published
on a website or in social media over which they do not have
control.
Members are not expected to monitor social media for
information that may be written about their speech pathology
services in forums that are not under the member’s control.
It is permissible for members to allow the inclusion of their
practice details on an independent third party directory, but
members should not solicit testimonials, ratings or reviews
on these websites. Any information such as ratings, reviews
or testimonials posted by another person on a third party
website should not be shared, copied, or re-tweeted, as this
could be considered to be advertising under the member’s
control.
If a member undertakes a formal, commercial arrangement
with a third party or independent review website, then the
entry for that members’ practice will be considered under
their control, and must not contain reviews, ratings or
testimonials.
Members are also reminded of their ethical obligations to
tell the truth and not use misleading ways to promote their
services. These obligations prohibit the writing of reviews
or ratings on the member’s own entry or another speech
pathologist’s entry on a third party or review website.
For further information or if you have questions please contact
Trish Johnson, Senior Advisor Ethics and Professional Issues
at National Office
au