AAPM&R Code of Conduct, continued

• Introduction and General Overview
• Ethics Relating to the Patient and the Patient's Family
• Relationships with Members of the Rehabilitation Team
• Physician to Physician Relationships
• Relationships with Community and Government
• Research and Scholarly Activity

VI. Research and Scholarly Activity

1. The physiatrist shall attempt to participate in research and to strive for the scientific and scholarly betterment of the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

2. When involved in human research and experimentation, the physiatrist shall respect the rights of the participants and shall obtain informed consent and abide by the rules of the affiliated institution as well as conform to the principles of human decency and the Nuremberg laws.

3. Data derived from research should be accurately presented. Research results should not be publicized until after the data has been subjected to appropriate peer review. Plagiarism is unethical. Appropriate attribution should be provided.

4. The physiatrist shall encourage, cooperate with and assist scholarly endeavors by others within the field through discussion, debate and criticism as is appropriate.

Portions of this code were based upon provisions in the following codes of professional ethics and professional conduct:

1. Ethics in Ophthalmology, A Practical Guide, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 1986.

2. Guide to the Ethical Practice of Orthopedic Surgery, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 1990.

3. American Academy of Neurology, Code of Professional Conduct, Neurology 1993, vol. 43, pp. 1257-1260.

4. American Association of Neurological Surgeons Code of Ethics.

5. American College of Physicians Ethics Manual, Part I: History; The Patient: Other Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine, 1989, 111: 245-252. American College of Physicians Ethics Manual, part II: The Physician and Society; Research; Life Sustaining Treatment; Other Issues. Annals of Internal Medicine, 1989, 111:327-335.

6. American College of Surgeons, Statement on Principles, 1989.

7. The Principles of Medical Ethics with annotations especially applicable to psychiatry, American Psychiatric Association, 1989.

8. Code of Medical Ethics and Current Opinions of the American Medical Association Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, American Medical Association, 1992.

It is suggested that AAPM&R policy and position statements, handbook items, etc., relating to ethical issues be attached as a supplement to this code.

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