The Code
of Ethics set forth the basic moral and ethical principles
of the Profession of Optometry. It is a moral guide to which
all optometrists are committed, and informs the public of
the ethical principles by which professional behaviour is
assessed.
It is the Ideal, the Resolve, and the Duty of the Members
of the Alberta College of Optometrists:
- To practice based on their expert clinical knowledge of
the life sciences and always have as their primary concern
the health and welfare of both patient and the public;
- To render services with equal diligence to all patients;
- To enhance continuously, throughout their professional
life, their educational and technical proficiency for the
benefit of their patients;
- To endeavour to achieve appropriate outcomes in the interest
of each patient’s needs;
- To refer a patient when any procedure is beyond their
competence or training and to freely consult with colleagues
and members of other professions whenever such consultations
are in the patient’s best interest;
- To maintain, except where required or authorized by law,
the confidence and privacy of all information concerning
a patient and to use such data only for the benefit of the
patient;
- To be accountable to their patients and to their colleagues;
- To conduct themselves as exemplary citizens and be truthful
and forthright in all professional matters;
- To educate their patients and the public with respect
to eye care issues and the profession of optometry;
- To maintain their practices in keeping with the professional
Standards of Practice.
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