Reference Guide to the Occupational Therapy Ethics Standards, 2008 Edition

The complexities of the current health care and social services environments and occupational therapy's professional obligation to advocate and promote benefits for clients require knowledge and skills in ethical reasoning, which begins with a thorough understanding of the "Ethics Standards" and is further developed through commitment to developing and maintaining a strong moral character as demonstrated through our actions to promote good on behalf of our clients.

This Reference Guide to the Occupational Therapy Ethics Standards was written to assist all occupational therapy personnel as they confront ethical issues throughout their careers due to the complexity of society and the systems in which we work. The content includes a broad variety of educational tools, including new advisory opinions and articles that address current ethical trends. Readers will no doubt be challenged to rethink some of the situations encountered in the past, perhaps because of increased awareness of the ethical issues that are not always initially apparent.

--From the Foreword by Penelope Moyers Cleveland, EdD, OTR/L, BCMH, FAOTA, President, American Occupational Therapy Association

Deborah Yarett Slater, MS, OT/L, FAOTA is an AOTA practice associate and staff liaison to the Ethics Commission. She has more than 30 years of experience in administration and management within diverse health care organizations, including oversight of large single and multidisciplinary departments in both inpatient and outpatient settings.