Client refers to “a recipient of speech-language pathology or audiology services, and may be an individual, family, group, community, or population. Individual clients may also be referred to as patients.”
Client-centered services refer to “a partnership between a team of health providers and a client where the client retains control over their care and is provided access to the knowledge and skills of team members to arrive at a realistic team shared plan of care and access to the resources to achieve the plan.”
Collaborative practice refers to “the process of developing and maintaining effective interprofessional working relationships with learners, practitioners, patients/clients/families and communities to enable optimal health outcomes. Elements of collaboration include respect, trust, shared decision making and partnerships.”[3]
Confidentiality “implies a trust relationship between the person supplying personal information (including health information) and the individual or organization collecting it. The relationship is built on the assurance that the information will only be used by or disclosed to authorized persons or to others with the individual’s permission. Protecting the confidentiality of health information implies that individually identifying health information is concealed from all but authorized parties.”[4]
Conflict of interest refers to “a situation in which someone in a position of trust has competing professional and/or personal interests. Such competing interests can make it difficult to act impartially. A conflict of interest may exist even if no unethical or improper act results from it. A conflict of interest can undermine confidence in the person or the profession.”
Cultural Humility is “a process of self-reflection to understand personal and systemic biases and to develop and maintain respectful processes and relationships based on mutual trust. Cultural humility involves humbly acknowledging oneself as a learner when it comes to understanding another’s experience.”[5]
Cultural Safety is “when all people feel respected and safe when they interact with the health care system. Culturally safe health services are free of racism and discrimination. People are supported to draw strengths from their identity, culture and community.”[6]
Inclusive care involves “creating an atmosphere in which all people feel valued and respected and where equal access to opportunities and resources are provided to people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.”[7]
Professional/professionalism refers to “a job that requires specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation…. [the person] exhibiting courteous and conscientious conduct in the workplace.”[8]
Professional boundaries are “the parameters that define a safe therapeutic relationship. These parameters set limits for the relationship based on the recognition of the inherent power imbalance, the vulnerability of the patient/client and the responsibilities of the regulated member in the therapeutic relationship. Professional boundaries help the regulated member and the patient/client recognize the difference between therapeutic and personal relationships and avoid potential misunderstanding of words and actions.”
[3]Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative (2010). A National Interprofessional Competency Framework
[4] Government of Alberta. (2011). Health Information Act. Guidelines and Practices.
[5] First Nations Health Authority. (n.d.). Cultural Safety and Humility.
[6] Northern Health. (2017). Indigenous Health – Cultural Safety: Respect and Dignity in Relationships.
[7] Riordan, C.M. (2014). Diversity is useless without inclusivity. Harvard Business Review.
[8] Merriam-Webster. (2016). Online Dictionary.