The Alberta Homeopaths of Alberta (AHA) recognize the following principles to be the fundamental foundation of the ethical practice of homeopathy. Our association promotes professionalism, integrity and respect for patient autonomy.

Guiding Principles of Ethical Practice and Professional Conduct Code of Ethics Document
This will include all sections that focus on professional behavior, ethical principles, client rights, confidentiality, and professional relationships.

1. Guiding Principles of Ethical Practice: Highest calling of the homeopath, respect for client autonomy, compassion, and professionalism.

2. Responsibilities to Clients: Informed consent, client autonomy, right to refuse care, right to privacy, confidentiality requirements.

3. Professional Conduct: Interactions with colleagues, prohibition against misrepresentation, conflicts of interest, professional liability insurance, and ethical research practices.

4. Ethical Representation: Accurate representation of qualifications, prohibition against untruthful advertising or misrepresentation.

5. Professional Development: Continuing education and ethical obligations for lifelong learning.

1. Guiding Principles of Ethical Practice:

I. The homeopath’s highest calling is to support each individual in their pursuit of health without promise or guarantee of a cure.

II. The homeopath must respect the individual’s well-being, safety, health and cultural perspectives at all times.

III. The homeopath must communicate with each individual with respect, understanding and compassion.

2. Responsibilities to Clients:
Healthcare Rights of the Clients
I. The client has the right to obtain a copy of their records from the homeopath.
II. The client has a right to refuse any care and seek any care they choose.
III. The client has a right and a responsibility to continue care with a primary health care provider of their choice.
IV. The client has the right to request to have another individual in the room during the consultations. If the client is under the age of consent, the written consent of a parent or guardian is necessary for the homeopath to provide treatment.
V. Clients have the right to be informed of all available resources and adjunctive therapies known by the homeopath to support their health care goals.
VI. Clients have the right to be informed of the risks and benefits of homeopathic care.
VII. The client has a right to report any concerns or misconduct to the Alberta Homeopathic Association or other professional colleges when appropriate.

3. Professional Conduct:
I. The homeopath is required to obtain suitable professional and general liability insurance.
II. The homeopath must maintain a professional relationship with each client during the course of care. At no time shall the homeopath exploit or persuade the client for the benefit of the homeopath, including any inappropriate relationship be it personal, sexual, financial or otherwise.
III. The homeopath must conduct him/herself in a manner that is professional towards colleagues and other health care professionals.
IV. A member cannot address the media but should direct all inquiries to the media representative on the AHA website.
V. A member should be aware of the image they project about homeopathy to the public and to the media.
VI. The homeopath must not defame or speak ill of another homeopath or health care professional publicly or privately to colleagues or clients.
VII. Members shall not, under any circumstances, represent themselves as medical doctors or use the title “Dr.” in connection with their homeopathic credentials, unless they hold a valid and recognized medical degree authorizing such designation. Use of the title “Doctor” or the abbreviation “Dr.” is prohibited in any context that could reasonably mislead the public to believe the member is a licensed medical practitioner.

4. Ethical Representation:
I. A member cannot promote themselves on behalf of the AHA. They should speak from the perspective of their individual practice.
II. Provings: the homeopath must give full disclosure to all volunteers so that they may clearly understand the process of a proving and the homeopath must obtain written consent from each participant in a proving. No participants in a proving shall be knowingly pregnant or breastfeeding or incapable of informed consent. In addition all volunteers information must be kept confidential and all research findings must be documented accurately, ethically and without misrepresentation.
III. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The homeopath must disclose any real or perceived conflicts of interest that could influence clinical recommendations.
IV. Duty to Refer When Risk Exists: The homeopath has a duty to refer when there is risk of harm, deterioration, or delay in accessing appropriate medical care.

5. Professional Development:
I. A Homeopath should willingly abide with continuing education and ethical obligations for lifelong learning set out by the AHA.

Standards of Practice in Homeopathy
This will include all sections that outline how homeopaths should deliver care, maintain records, manage their practices, and interact with other healthcare providers.

1. Clinical Practice Standards: Adherence to scope of practice, referral guidelines, protocols for emergencies.

2. Record Keeping & Confidentiality Procedures: Secure storage, client access rights, consent for use of case records.

3. Practice Operations: Office standards, patient communications, documentation of care, collaboration with other professionals.

4. Professional Accountability: Adherence to applicable laws, reporting misconduct, compliance with health authority regulations.

5. Practice Development: Requirements for practice improvement and standards for ongoing professional competence.

1. Clinical Practice Standards:
I. The homeopath is required to adhere to their scope of practice, recognizing their own limitations during the course of care and disease prevention, identifying when it is appropriate to advise clients to seek treatment from other healthcare professionals.

II. The homeopath must truthfully and clearly represent their qualifications in homeopathy and practise within the legal scope permitted to unregulated health practitioners in Alberta, without implying regulation or authorization under the Health Professions Act. This scope of practice does not permit the performance of restricted activities as defined under Alberta legislation, which remain reserved for regulated health professionals authorized under the Health Professions Act.
III. The homeopath must recommend that all patients continue to have a relationship with their primary health care provider for such things as medical testing, diagnosis and physical exams.
IV. The homeopath must refrain from diagnosing and treating disease in a patient unless they are licensed to do so by another regulated health profession.
V. The homeopath must not perform any medical physical examinations or injections unless licensed to do so by another professional body.
VI. The homeopath must refer clients to another homeopath or health care professional if the client does not respond in a timely manner to the recommended treatment or when the acuity/severity of the case is outside of the scope of the homeopath.
VII. The homeopath must refer clients to appropriate health care professionals for investigation, diagnostic testing, examinations or other required procedures when appropriate.
VIII. The homeopath in an urgent or emergency situation must refer clients to the appropriate health care professionals including and not limited to the local emergency department.
IX. The homeopath shall not, under any circumstances, represent themselves as medical doctors or use the title “Dr.” in connection with their homeopathic credentials, unless they hold a valid and recognized medical degree authorizing such designation. Use of the title “Doctor” or the abbreviation “Dr.” is prohibited in any context that could reasonably mislead the public to believe the member is a licensed medical practitioner.
X. The homeopath must not use medical diagnostic terminology or disease claims in a manner that could reasonably be interpreted as providing a medical diagnosis, unless legally authorized through another regulated health profession.

2.Record Keeping & Confidentiality Procedures:

I. The homeopath must keep all client information and communications confidential, including but not limited to case history, patient files, written notes, video or audio recordings, texts, emails or any other communication vehicle as outlined by the Health Information Act of Alberta. Exception may be made with documented permission of the client in case of emergency, when information is legally requested by a government authority, or when disclosure is required by government legislation.
II. The homeopath must maintain a secure storage for each clients file, including and not limited to case history, written notes, video or audio recordings, emails, and forms. Access to all electronic information must be password protected.
III. The homeopath must obtain written permission and signed consent to video or audio record case taking.
IV. The homeopath must obtain written permission and signed consent to share case history or recorded video for educational purposes, for research, or for publishing, and must keep identifying information of the client confidential.
V. The homeopath must provide a professional space that is private. Permission must be given from clients to allow individuals to observe case taking either in the consultation room or remotely via audio or video.

3.Practice Operations:
I. The homeopath must provide the highest level of care to the client.
II. Prior to initiating care, the homeopath must obtain informed consent that includes clear disclosure that homeopathy is not a regulated health profession in Alberta, does not provide medical diagnosis, and does not replace medical care, emergency services, or treatment provided by regulated health professionals.
III. The homeopath must acknowledge and promote the client to be accountable for their own health and well-being and to actively participate in health care decisions during the course of care, including the right to refuse any and all recommendations and or referrals. If the client or legal guardian of the client refuses to comply to recommendations of the homeopath, then the homeopath has the right to terminate the practitioner-client relationship in a professional and ethical manner.
IV. The homeopath must respect the client’s wishes during the course of care.
V. The homeopath must communicate with the client in a clear manner with regard to the allocated care plan and protocols.
VI. The homeopath must truthfully and clearly describe their qualifications in adjunct therapies and only provide such therapies when appropriate and when within their scope of practice.
VII. The homeopath must clearly and without prejudice describe the risks and benefits of adjunct therapies and allow the patient to decline additional therapies if they so choose.
VIII. The homeopath must produce documentation of all qualifications in homeopathy and other adjunct therapies.
IX. The homeopath must inform clients of any changes in practice such as retirement, debilitating illness, chemical dependency or any other condition that interferes with their ability to practice, including relocation and sale of practice and when necessary, refer clients to another homeopath or healthcare professional.
X. The homeopath must not sign or falsify any forms, certificates, reports, or create any misleading or untruthful statements or advertising

4.Professional Accountability:
I. Homeopaths are required to advocate for clients and practice within an environment that has supportive systems and resources necessary for safe, competent and ethical homeopathic care.
II. The homeopath must never represent themselves as a member of a regulated health profession, unless they are a member of a regulatory college in the province of Alberta.
III. The homeopath must cooperate fully with any complaints, investigations, or disciplinary processes established by the Alberta Homeopaths of Alberta (AHA) and provide requested documentation when required.
IV. The homeopath must correct anyone who may refer to them as a medical professional i.e. RN, MD, ND, etc. unless they are a member of a regulatory college in the province of Alberta.
V. The homeopath must ensure that all advertising, public statements, websites, social media content, and promotional materials are truthful, not misleading, and do not imply regulation, licensure, diagnosis, or authority under Alberta health legislation.

5.Practice Development:

I. The homeopath must further their personal and professional development to enhance their own practice by study, training, research, publishing, lecturing, teaching, mentoring, participating in Provings, public awareness, study groups or by volunteering with the AHA.
II. Each homeopath must obtain a minimum of 15 additional credit-hours calculated bi- annually of continuing education and development in homeopathic medicine or adjunct therapies.