Occupational Therapy and The Code of Ethics

In the profession of occupational therapy, there are six main principles that OT practitioners should follow during the course of their practice. These six principles include beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy and confidentiality, justice (social and procedural), veracity, and fidelity. It is important for the occupational therapist to be sure to follow these principles and practice being ethical in all situations. Upholding these code of ethics ensures the best treatment for the client. It also builds a strong therapeutic relationship with the client while also building professionalism for the OT. All six of these principles are vital to making up the profession of occupational therapy. These principles identified by AOTA serve as a reference for occupational therapists especially in situations where they may be unsure how to proceed in a situation or when an ethical dilemma arises. Without these principles put into place, the definition of OT would not be the same. Occupational therapy is a highly ethical profession not only for the betterment of the client, but also for the betterment of the practitioner.