Law and Ethics in Complementary Medicine

'A valuable resource for those in clinical practice and students undertaking primary and secondary qualifications in the complementary medicine and therapy disciplines.' Caroline Smith, Professor, Complementary Medicine Research, National Institute of Complementary Medicine, Western Sydney University

Comprehensive, unique and reflective of the current Australian legislative framework and AHPRA regulations, Michael Weir's Law and Ethics in Complementary Medicine remains the most widely used reference text in the field. A valuable handbook for professionals, students and researchers, the text addresses legal and ethical issues across a broad range of traditional, complementary and integrative practices.

The text deals with legal and ethical issues in clinical relationships and provides practical guidelines for setting up and running a professional practice. Michael Weir systematically outlines the various aspects of the law which impact on clinical practice, including legal obligations to clients, consumer legislation and complaints processes, and professional boundaries. He explains how to navigate professional indemnity insurance, and the steps you need to take in setting up a professional practice from establishing a business name to dealing with employees. He also outlines the role of codes of ethics, and explores how to deal with tricky ethical issues in daily practice.

This fifth edition is fully updated with in-depth treatment of the issue of ethical practice and professional decision making. It addresses recent changes in regulation and case law, including the development of the National Code of Conduct for Healthcare Workers and also now includes yoga and holistic counselling as modalities of complementary medicine.