Occupational Therapists Board, Hong Kong

The Occupational Therapists Board was established under the Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance, Cap.359, Laws of Hong Kong, in 1981. With the enactment of the Occupational Therapists (Registration and Disciplinary Procedure) Regulations, Chapter 359 subsidiary legislation B, Laws of Hong Kong, registration of the profession of occupational therapists commenced on 1 October 1990 while disciplinary control of the profession was effective on 1 August 1991. The functions of the Occupational Therapists Board are to maintain a register of occupational therapists; to promote adequate standards of professional practice and of professional conduct among registered occupational therapists; and to carry out the functions assigned to it by the Ordinance.

Registration

All qualified occupational therapists must be registered with the Occupational Therapists Board in order to practice occupational therapy in Hong Kong.

Code of Practice

The purpose of the Code is to provide guidance for conduct and relationships in carrying out the professional responsibilities consistent with the ethical obligations of the profession.

A registered occupational therapist should observe the basic ethical principles outlined in Part I, understand the meaning of “Professional Conduct” explained in Part II, and be aware of the convictions and forms of professional misconduct detailed in Part III which may lead to disciplinary proceedings.

A registered occupational therapist should at all times maintain standards of professional and personal conduct which reflect credit upon the profession. He should discharge his duties and responsibilities to the patients, the profession, the other members of the health care team and to the public in general with interest, honour and integrity, and should maintain an optimum standard of practice by exercising competent professional judgement and by continually striving to improve his knowledge and professional skills.

All registered occupational therapist should in their own interests read and be familiar with the provisions of the Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance, Cap.359 and subsidiary legislation, and, in particular with:

• Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance – Section 22 to 25 (inclusive), and

• Occupational Therapists (Registration and Disciplinary Procedure) Regulations 17 to 43 (inclusive).

Part I: Basic Ethical Principles

A registered occupational therapist shall:

• Respect the rights and dignity of all individuals.

• Serve clients, regardless of social status, culture, creed, politics, race or nationality.

• Carry out services to the best of his ability.

• Maintain at all times the highest standard of professional competence and strive continually to update and extend his professional knowledge and skill.

• Recognise the extent and limitation of his professional expertise and provide services that are within his competence.

• Refer any persons under his care to the appropriate health care team members whenever necessary.

• Respect the confidence imparted to him in the course of his professional duties, and only discusses patients' affairs with other members of the medical team responsible for treatment.

• Respect and co-operate with other occupational therapists and members of related professions and in relevant circumstances provide therapy service to patients in accordance with medical diagnosis.

• Maintain an active interest in the planning and the provision of adequate health service for the community.

• Ensure that professional integrity is not influenced by motives of profit.

• Accept responsibility for reporting illegal activities or unethical conduct to the appropriate authorities.

• Ensure that no service that requires the skill, knowledge, and judgement of the occupational therapist is delegated to a less qualified person and ensure that those under his supervision or in his employment are knowledgeable and capable in the performance of their duties.

Part II: “Meaning of Misconduct in a Professional Respect”

An Occupational Therapist is guilty of “Misconduct in a professional respect” when he, in the pursuit of his profession, does something or omits to do something, which in the opinion of his professional colleagues of good repute and competency, might be reasonably regarded as disgraceful or dishonourable or which falls below that standard of competency that such a colleague might regard as reasonable.

Part III: Convictions and Forms of Professional Misconduct which may lead to Disciplinary Proceedings

• Convictions punishable with imprisonment

• Disregard of professional responsibilities towards patients

• Abuse of alcohol or drugs

• Abuse of professional position in order to further an improper association or commit adultery

• Abuse of professional confidence

• Advertising

• Depreciation of other occupational therapists

• Canvassing

• Misleading and unapproved descriptions and announcements

• Improper financial transactions (Fee splitting)

• Guidelines on Supervision:

• All Part II/ Pat III registered occupational therapists should work under a full-time Part I registered occupational therapist.

• Depending on the experience of the Part II/ Part III registered occupational therapist, duties may be delegated to him by a Part I registered occupational therapist who will bear the responsibility of such therapy.

• Improper delegation of professional duties to unregistered person

• Treating patients without appropriate referral

• Conclusion:

• It must be emphasized that the categories of misconduct described cannot be regarded as exhaustive, since from time to time with changing circumstances, the Board's attention may be drawn to new forms of professional misconduct. Any abuse by an occupational therapist of any of the privileges and opportunities afforded to him, or of any dereliction of professional duty or breach of professional ethics, may give rise to a charge of professional misconduct.

Reference

Occupational Therapists Board, Hong Kong (1998). Code of Practice of the Occupational Therapists Board, Hong Kong: For the Guidance of Registered Occupational Therapists, HKSAR: Government Printer.

To know more about “OT Governance”, please visit the website of Occupational Therapists Board at HERE or contact the Secretariat of the Occupational Therapists Board, Hong Kong by:

Mail : Boards and Councils (Branch) Office, 2/F, Shun Feng International Centre, 182 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong .

Tel. : (852) 2527 8380

Fax : (852) 2865 5540