Ethics Paper

Professional Issues in Dietetics

Genieva Gandham
Brittni Filipiak
 The purpose of the Code of Ethics is to be a formal guide for dietetic practitioners to help

them decide between right and wrong, when faced with tough ethical dilemmas. In order to

perform ethically in their professional practice, they will need to follow the guidelines in the

Code of Ethics. Dietitians have accepted this Code of Ethics created by the ADA as a reflection

of the way they have organized the values and principles they believe in and stand for. The Code

of Ethics strengthens the obligations and commitments practitioners in the field of dietetics have

towards their clients, their dietetics profession, the people they work with, other professionals,

and the public. Following the Code of Ethics is also important because professionals in the

dietetics field can show each other and other professionals in the work environment that they can

act ethically, and have the best interest of the public and their patients in mind.

The Code of Ethics applies to those in the dietetics field who are members of the ADA as

well as nonmembers. Specifically, it applies to those who are Registered Dietitians (RDs) and

Dietetic Technicians Registered (DTR). The Code of Ethics sets the standard for these

professionals. It is agreed that the rules given in the Code of Ethics will be followed by these

professionals.

We view the second principle as the most important. It states that the dietetics

practitioner will support and promote the high standards required of professional practice.

Through following the Code of Ethics, the dietetics practitioner accepts their responsibility of

protecting clients, the public, and the dietetics profession. They will also act ethically and make

the best decision in situations based on recommendations in the Code of Ethics.

In our ethical dilemma, our R.D. was trying to decide on whether to go to the National

Restaurant Association Show and allow the Speedy Heat Corp to underwrite the expenses of

travel & lodging. She also had the choice of going to the National Restaurant Association Show
and paying for it herself. This situation is a potential conflict of interest for the R.D. because her

hospital is currently in the process of purchasing new equipment. The R.D. can decide to allow

the Speedy Heat Corp to underwrite the cost of attending the event, but we feel that this would

not be an ethical decision to make. She could also pay for the show herself and have no ties to

the Speedy Heat Corp. By paying for the event costs herself, she would be avoiding any ethical

dilemmas that may arise from this business arrangement. If the R.D. allowed the company to

underwrite the event expenses, this company may be more likely to pressure the R.D. to purchase

their equipment for her hospitals remodeling project.

After performing the Tilt Method, the proper course of action to be taken would be for

the R.D. to pay for the restaurant association show and not allow the Speedy Heat Corp to pay

for the show. It is in her best interest not to take the incentive that they are offering and to pay

for the show on her own. By not taking the incentive there wont be any sort of conflict of

interest. This allows for the R.D. to make the best-informed decision on which product to buy,

without unneeded pressure. This removes any question of why equipment was purchased from

this particular company if the R.D. and her hospital did decide to buy from the Speedy Heat

Corp. The R.D. needs to make this decision because there is no way to tell whether or not

Speedy Heat Corp is trying to write off the event expenses for this R.D., just so they can

influence her buying choices.

Of the 19 principles, the principles that apply to this case the most are # 14,15, and 18.

The Code of Ethics explains about receiving gifts (#18), how dietitians should always be looking

to learn new things and improve how they perform their job (#14) and most importantly about

avoiding conflict of interest (#15).

The Question = Should you attend the National Restaurant Association Show and allow for
the Speedy Heat Corp to pay?
Action Option #1
Go to the National Restaurant
Association Show and allow
Speedy Heat Corp to pay
Its a show for all restaurant
association suppliers.
It will be a conflict of interest.
#15 A The dietetics practitioner
is alert to the occurrence of a real
or potential conflict of interest
and takes appropriate action
whenever a conflict arises.
They are most likely looking to
influence your choice of product
you buy.
Speedy Heat may expect you to
buy from them if you let them
pay for your travel and lodging
expenses to attend the suppliers
show.
Til Action Option #2
t
Dont allow Speedy Heat Corp to pay, if you go to
the National Restaurant Association Show.
#14 The dietetics practitioner assumes a life-long
responsibility and accountability for personal
competence in practice, consistent with accepted
professional standards, continually striving to
increase professional knowledge and skills and to
apply them in practice.
#18 C The dietetics practitioner does not invite,
accept, or offer gifts, monetary incentives, or other
considerations that affect or reasonably give an
appearance of affecting his/her professional
judgment.
You wont have to worry about conflict of interest.
You dont have to feel obligated to buy their
products.