Kenyan Society of Homeopaths
Code of Ethics and Practice
This code applies to Registered Members of the Kenyan Society of Homeopaths.
Its purpose is to establish and maintain standards of practice of Homeopathy by encouraging integrity and responsibility in the practice of homeopathy. It involves having regard for the needs of patients/clients seeking homeopathic treatment, the reputation and advancement of homeopathy and the development of understanding among homeopaths. It is important for the health and growth of our profession that we honor our teachers, our history and our traditions. It is also important that we attend to our own health and well-being as well as our continued growth and professional development.
1. Responsibility to Patients/Clients
1 The highest standards are to be observed in the conduct and care of the patient/client.
2 All patients/clients are to be treated with respect, dignity and freedom from prejudice.
3 The homeopath owes loyalty to his/her patient and should have regard for his/her wishes.
4 The homeopath shall encourage their patients/clients to take increasing responsibility for their own healing and learning as and where appropriate.
5 The homeopath shall be required to disclose his/her identity and that of other persons including students, trainees and ancillary workers who may handle clients.
6 The homeopath shall inform/educate clients of relevant policies and regulations in his/her facility.
7 The homeopath shall maintain safe and hygienic environment in order to promote good health.
8 The homeopath shall inform/educate all clients fully of their conditions, management, as well as procedures involved in the treatment, which he/she intends to administer, and the possible risks involved, except in emergency situations when the client is unable to make a decision and the need for treatment is urgent
9 The homeopath shall be required to attend to clients below 16 years of age only when accompanied by responsible person(s) except in an emergency or when treatment is urgent.
10 The homeopath shall accept a patient’s decision to seek a second medical opinion if he/she so desires. Such clients shall not be intimidated or threatened in any way.
2. Confidentiality
11 The homeopath shall keep full records of each patient. All records shall be kept in a secure locked and confidential space at all times, access being restricted to the homeopath and his/her assistants. All records shall be kept for a minimum of seven years.
12 The homeopath shall not communicate in any form the contents of the patient/client case records or any information obtained within the practitioner/patient relationship, except as follows:
(a) in response to a valid court order
(b) in an emergency or other dangerous situations where, in the opinion of the homeopath, the information may assist in the prevention of possible injury to the patient or to another person. Disclosure may be required where
there is reasonable suspicion of child or elder abuse
there is a reasonable suspicion that the patient presents a danger to him or herself or to others.
(c) where the patient has consented in writing to the nature and extent of the disclosure.
13 Written consent must be obtained from the patient in order to consult with another colleague, i.e. health care practitioner or homeopath (in a general rather than a specific capacity).
14 The homeopath shall not make or sign any false or misleading certificates or reports. No report shall be given to a third party without the consent of the patient concerned.
15 Written consent must be obtained form the patient in order to consult with the patient/client’s other health care practitioners.
16 The homeopath shall honor the confidentiality of all patients/clients whose cases are used in published articles, case conference presentations, or training lectures (by withholding/changing names and all identifying details). A written consent form must be obtained from the patient/client in order to teach, present or publish any part of a patient/client’s case history (written/video).
3. Scope of Practice
17 Where the homeopath considers that the treatment is beyond his/her capacity or skill, the patient with the homeopath’s consent shall refer to or consult with a homeopathic colleague or appropriate health care practitioner.
18 The professional homeopath is obliged to advise their patient/client to maintain a relationship with his/her primary health care physician.
19 The homeopath shall not exaggerate the gravity of a patient/client’s condition nor make any promise as to the result of the treatment, to the patient or to anyone else.
20 Each patient must be informed that the goal of the professional homeopath is to help strengthen the constitution and thereby raise the general level of health of the patient/client. It is not to treat any particular disease or condition but to stimulate the vital force.
21 Assistance shall be rendered to patients/clients in emergency situations to the extent permitted by the training and circumstances of the homeopath.
22 The homeopath shall make clear to the patient the exact nature of their training and credentials in any adjunct therapies that may be appropriate in addressing the patient/client’s needs.
23 A homeopath may not make a physical, medical examination of a patient/client unless trained and licensed to do so in the state in which he/she practices. A physical, medical examination of a child under 16, if required, must be carried out in the presence of a parent/guardian (responsible adult).
24 The homeopath shall always respond favourably to reasonable requests to provide medical care or products in emergency or calamity.
25 The homeopath shall avoid collusion with any other person(s) for illegal financial gains to the detriment of client or employee.
26 The homeopath shall refrain from all acts of indiscipline including drunkenness, smoking, immorality, abuse of drugs and pilfering in the course of performing his/her duties.
27 The homeopath shall avoid sexual harassment in the course of duty. Clients shall be exposed or undressed in a manner deemed decent only in the presence of a relative or chaperon.
28 Preparations used shall be done under the supervision of a qualified and registered homeopath. Good manufacturing practices shall be strictly adhered to, in order to ensure quality.
29 The homeopath shall make available for sale or dispensing to patients, homeopathic medicines that are labeled and unadulterated or that he/she has no reason to doubt its quality.
30 Homeopathic products shall be of natural substances of plant, animal or mineral origin and shall not be mixed/combined with allopathic medicines during preparation or manufacturing.
31 The homeopath shall notify local police of all deaths occurring in the premises (Clinic, Hospital) according to the laws of the land. The homeopath in-charge of an institution shall submit death reports on all deaths occurring in the premises to the nearest government health facility.
4. Professional Conduct and Representation
32 [NOTE: This rule will soon change when the Natural Medicine Council will be established] The homeopath shall not use the title “Doctor” so as to falsely represent that he/she is a registered medical doctor unless licensed as such by the appropriate institution. An assistant shall not be referred to as a nurse unless he/she is licensed as such by the appropriate institution. While it is appreciated that members with a PhD in other areas have the right to use the title “Doctor”, the Society expressly forbids its use when it might be misleading to the patient. There are Doctorates in Homeopathy available in countries outside the Kenya, but the Society has no way of checking the validity of the training involved in gaining such a qualification. Therefore, unless an exception is granted to this rule by the Board of Directors, no member other than a medical doctor registered in the Kenya may use the title “Doctor”. Those who have qualified with the requisite degree course of may attach Dr. (Hom.) to their name. A list of exceptions to the rule can be acquired from the Society.
33 Clear boundaries need to be observed by both parties to a therapeutic relationship. A homeopath shall not engage in any sexual activity with a patient/client under his/her care. Only after the formal or therapeutic relationship has been concluded, with full agreement and understanding on both sides, may any other kind of relationship be contemplated.
34 On deciding to retire or move from a practice, the homeopath shall inform all patients/clients of his/her intention do so and of any arrangements made for the transfer of the practice to another homeopathic practitioner.
35 The homeopath shall adhere to fair business practices, meet his/her obligations promptly and fulfil his/her agreements and contracts.
36 The homeopath shall be enlightened and conversant with the laws in every aspect of his/her professional practice.
37 The homeopath shall be law abiding and strictly adhere to the laws of the country as well as socially accepted norms.
38 The homeopath, his/her assistants or staff shall abide by this Code of Ethics and Practice.
5. Responsibility to the Practice of Homeopathy
39 The professional homeopath is responsible for his/her continuing personal and professional development by undertaking further training and study, conferring with colleagues and acquiring knowledge of new theories and practices.
40 The homeopath shall promote the art and science of homeopathy through appropriate research.
41 The homeopath shall administer a substance, for the purpose of a homeopathic proving, only to those individuals who have volunteered and understood the nature of the proving process. Each volunteer shall sign a written consent to that effect.
42 The homeopath shall report all research findings and clinical experiences methodically, honestly and without distortion. All speculative theories shall be stated as such and clearly distinguished.
43 A homeopath shall not seek to attract business unfairly and unprofessionally, in any way which could discredit the reputation of homeopathic practice.
44 The homeopath shall be competent and operate within the laws of the land.
45 (a) The homeopath shall promote the health and well being of the patient and the general public. (b) He/She shall refrain from any act that he/she knows may adversely affect the patient’s health.
6 Responsibility to Maintaining the Integrity of the Professional Community
46 The honor and reputation of the homeopathic profession comes from the integrity and respect that is maintained by each member of the homeopathic community towards each other.
47 The homeopath shall not disparage or speak disrespectfully of any fellow practitioner, homeopathic or otherwise, in public, or to patients/clients, or students.
48 We are obliged to stand up for the practice of good, classical homeopathy and to express a concern about the use of high dilutions (homeopathic medicines/remedies) that are not according to Hahnemannian principles (without disparaging any person or persons).
49 Homeopaths shall support and assist each other in their study and practice.
50 In writing or speaking, if the homeopath is aware that he/she is directly using a colleague’s ideas, he/she shall reference these accordingly and give due respect to his/her fellow homeopaths.
51 In the case of a patient transferring from one homeopath to another, it is the responsibility of the new homeopath to advise and encourage the client/patient to inform their former homeopath. The homeopath shall obtain records from the previous homeopath with permission from the patient/client.
52 A homeopath, on assuming an influential position as a teacher or mentor, is responsible for and must interact with students appropriately. He/she shall avoid any fraternization which exploits that position of influence.
53 Clear boundaries need to be observed by both parties during a teacher-student association. A homeopath shall not engage in any sexual activity with a student under his/her tutelage or supervision. Only after a formal relationship has concluded, with full agreement and understanding on both sides, may any other kind of relationship be contemplated.
54 Where a professional homeopath has a good reason to believe that a fellow homeopath has acted irresponsibly or has any complaint whatsoever about him/her, he/she should attempt to discuss the matter with the homeopath concerned as a first step and in full confidentiality. Subsequently he/she should send a written complaint to the Ethics and Welfare Officer, who is a member of Board of Directors. According to the procedures laid down in the bylaws.
55 The committee shall notify the member named in the complaint by registered mail and shall set forth the facts and circumstances therein alleged. A hearing shall be scheduled in not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days following said mailing, at which time the member shall be encouraged to respond to the complaint. The Ethics and Welfare Committee is vested with the power and authority to conduct whatever investigation is deemed necessary and proper.
56 The individual homeopath shall be notified of each complaint and of each decision and of a member’s rights at each step of the process. The homeopath involved has the right to be present and to present testimony with legal counsel at any formal hearing held by the committee investigating the complaint. A member who has violated any of the provisions of the Code of Ethics and Practice of the Society, may be subject to censure, suspension, or expulsion.