IV. Standards or Performance

a. Ethical

Ethics refers to a set of principles of "right" conduct, a theory or a system of moral values, or the rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or members of a profession. The primary goal of practice ethics is to protect clients, provide guidelines for practicing professionals, and to enhance the profession as a whole. Within the Life Care Planning industry all practitioners are members of one or more professional disciplines and/or are licensed or certified. It is expected that Life Care Planners follow appropriate relevant ethical guidelines within their areas of professional practice and expertise.

Life Care Planners are expected to maintain appropriate confidentiality, avoid dual relationships, adequately advise clients of the role of the Life Care Planner, and maintain competency in the profession.

1. Confidentiality: Appropriate confidentiality is a sensitive and important concept. Some professionals will have communications protected by "privilege" which is statutorily based in each state. For example, although no "Life Care Planners" are currently covered by privilege, many may be professional counselors, licensed psychologists or others who have the additional statutory protection. In addition, litigation has the additional component of attorney work product that may have an effect on what information may be disclosed. The Life Care Planner must be thoroughly informed on this topic.

Dual relationships: A personal relationship with a client is not appropriate during the course of service. Developing Life Care Plans for friends, co-workers, professional colleagues, or anyone where the objectivity and professionalism of the care plan is questions should be avoided.

2. Client advisement of role: Each client should be fully informed about the role of the Life Care Planner. For example, the client should be fully informed about who is requesting the Life Care Plan as well as the confidentiality of communications. Also, Life Care Planners who have dual role responsibilities should clarify that they are not acting as a case manager, psychologist, etc. and what the limits of their participation might be.

Competency: The Life Care Planner is expected to accurately represent any information received for a particular case. Medical recommendations are to have an appropriate medical foundation. Research information that the Life Care Planner has obtained for all aspects of care should be readily available for examination by appropriate reviewers.

b. Research

The Life Care Plan will have as its basis the Scientific Principles of medicine and health care. The involvement of the Life Care Planner in the area of research should include, but not limited to, the following objectives:

1. The Life Care Planner will strive to identify and participate in research independently or in collaboration with others, utilizing research tools and activities that will promote quality outcomes.

2. The Life Care Planner will critique literature for application to life care planning.

3. The Life Care Planner will use appropriate research findings in the development of Life Care Plans.