JCPSLP Vol 14 No 1 2012

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JCPSLP Volume 14, Number 1 2012 33
Ethical conversations
W hen I began the task of devising a column
based around the theme of “professional
issues” with members of the Ethics Board, I
started with the Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) Scope
of Practice document (The Speech Pathology Australia
Association, 2003). This document describes “the breadth
of professional practice carried out within the speech
pathology profession in Australia”. It provides an overview
of the who, what, where, why, and how of speech
pathology practice. It describes not only the knowledge
and skill-set required by speech pathologists, but also the
attitudes and ethical behaviours expected of our profession.
This document may be brief but it is certainly wide-ranging.
As I read through the key points, I reflected on some
of the changes that we are confronted with in our rapidly
evolving world. I wondered how these might be having an
In this paper, Suze Leitão, Chair of the
Speech Pathology Australia Ethics Board,
reflects on emerging ethical and professional
issues and discusses some of the Speech
Pathology Australia documents that can act
as a resource for members of the profession.
Members of the Board were asked to respond
to the question: “What do you consider to be
emerging ethical and professional issues in
your workplace?” This article discusses some
of the key themes that emerged and reflects
on the need to be pro-active in our
professional lives.
Emerging ethical and
professional issues
Suze Leitão, Trish Bradd, Lindy McAllister, Alison Russell, Belinda Kenny, Nerina Scarinci, Helen Smith,
Peter Dhu, Noel Muller, Grant Meredith, and Christina Wilson
The Ethics
Board hard at
work!