Ethical issues in clinical neuropsychology: International diversity perspectives

Abstract

Objective

Much of the information about the ethical practice of clinical neuropsychology has focused on North America. Additionally, of the scholarly publications on the intersection of ethical issues and cultural diversity practices in neuropsychology, most have focused on North America. The extent to which practitioners in other parts of the world are aware of, and find useful, such information is largely unknown. Similarly, the extent to which North American neuropsychologists are familiar with ethical issues and challenges encountered around the world is unknown. The purpose of this article is to advance the discussion of ethical issues in clinical neuropsychology from an international diversity perspective.

Method

The article presents, via a panel interview format, the thoughts and experiences of a small sample of neuropsychologists who represent all continents except North America (and Antarctica).

Results

Neuropsychologists across continents share an ethical commitment to providing services that are beneficial, and not harmful, to the recipients of the services. Professional competence is at the heart of such services.

Conclusions

Through continued and expanded dialogue about ethical issues with neuropsychology colleagues around the world, the potential exists for improvement in the provision of effective and compassionate care in our own towns.

Keywords:

• Competence
• diversity
• ethics
• international
• neuropsychology

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank local colleagues who were available for consultation on this project.

Geolocation information

The authors of this article represent all continents, except Antarctica. The specific countries represented are Argentina, Australia, Poland, India, South Africa, and the United States.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 It is noted that Dr. Schrieff-Brown, who represents the continent of Africa, practices in South Africa, which is probably the African country that is most similar to North America in its neuropsychological practices. Attempts made to have a representative from another part of Africa were unsuccessful.

2 Evidence to support the statements made is available from the author upon request.

3 Thank you all for sharing with me your knowledge, experience and thoughts, which, along with my own, I present in this paper. Special thanks go to Prof. Małgorzata Szepietowska (Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lubin), Dr. Julia Wyszomirska (Medical University of Silesia in Katowice) and Dr. Ewa Malinowska (University of Warsaw).

4 Strenuous attempts to regulate the legal profession of psychology in Poland have been made since the 1960s. The act on the profession of psychology developed by the community of psychologists operating mainly at the Polish Psychological Association (Polskie Towarzystwo Psychologiczne) has not yet been adopted (see: https://psych.org.pl/dla-psychologow/ustawa-o-zawodzie-psychologa).