Ethics for Behaviour Analysts - Case Study Example

Since this field has a cast of unique issues, ways of making ethics interesting, informative, and engaging for even the students have been generated, and hence there is clear relevance seen in the cautious approach used in this field when handling patients. Although there is an excellent set of guidelines, they are somewhat dry and by themselves do not convey the urgency and relevance that they should, (Bailey& Burch, 2005).

As a professional behavioral analyst, the codes of conduct prescribe a confidentiality clause that calls for the adherence to strict rules and regulations when it comes to revealing information about patients to third parties. Although this is the case, it is important on the other hand to keep records of the success stories of well-treated and recovered patients such as the one the former student asked about. He treated a patient and he can be noted as one of the success stories in his career as the dilemma of data disclosure creeps in. Bailey & Burch, (2005) think that it is inhumane for a professional to misuse and maltreat a patient who is not aware of his rights and privileges and hence cannot speak up as in this case, the parameters of the situation being the client whose guardian is portrayed as too hectic to be disturbed with matters that involve the disclosure agreements of the successful patient treated with aggressive behavior issues. The former behavior analyst student, now in the professional field faced a dilemma in the disclosure agreements that were not mentioned when the treatment began in the approvals signed.

This conflict of interest between the two parties is based on the assumption that the guardian is too busy to be disturbed on signing the relevant documents that can be drafted to allow the professional to use data from the successful treatment of the patient in a publication. There are high chance that the guardian will not be able to read such a publication but on the other hand, runs the risk that the case might generate so much public interest that the guardian will be forced to spare some time and get to know the contents of the publication. It is also eating the conscience of the former student that he might be breaching professional ethical conduct in releasing the data to the public bearing in mind that there was no disclosure agreement signed before the treatment as well as there was no intention to use the data for such purposes.

Available options
At this point, the former student has the option of going ahead to use the data without the consent of the client, and in case the publication generates a heated debate and the disclosure agreements come under scrutiny, he should be ready to face the consequences of his actions. On the other hand, the publication could be a basis to elevate his career and gain more clients. He also has the option of tracking down the guardian and sweet-talking him to create time to draft and sign the necessary disclosure agreements before the publication is done. This will avoid the legal tussles that may ensure if the client finds his rights violated while on the other hand, it is a long and tedious process that will involve costs to the lawyers. He also has the option of letting go of the publication but also includes the necessary disclosure documentation in any other treatment of the next patients. This will ensure that any other conflicts of interest will not arise.

Best Course of Action and Outcome
The best remedy for such a situation would be to ensure the signing of the necessary documentation that will include disclosure agreements when it comes to the use of patient data in research. He has to ensure the necessary approvals are obtained from the guardian as well as the patient for the publication to go on. This will eliminate the possibility of legal tussles though it is a long and tedious process to ensure efficiency. The outcome of the whole process will show high levels of professionalism on the side of the former student in the treatment of his patients as well as respect for the rights of the patients as a whole. According to Bailey & Burch, (2005), all the decisions made that affect patients need to be consistent with the code of ethics of the school of psychology as taught which should be accompanied by the acceptance of responsibility for the decision made as well as monitoring the consequences of the course of action taken by all the professionals it releases into the practicing field. Read More