Code of Ethics - Malaysian Dietitians' Association - Committed to improving the health of our people

Preamble :
The Code of Ethics is to regulate the professional conduct and practice of its members by providing guiding principles to discharge their duties and responsibilities in a professional, and ethical manner.

The Code covers five topics :

•	Professional competence
•	Relationships with colleagues
•	Relationships with clients
•	Legal responsibilities
•	Responsibilities to consumers and society

As Dietitians, our key professional and social responsibility is to promote and communicate accurate evidence - based knowledge and perform dietetic interventions in an ethical and practical manner.

Principles
The dietitian :

Provides professional services with objectivity and respect for the unique needs and values of individuals.
Avoids discrimination against people on the basic of race, creed, religion, sex, age and cultural origin.
Fulfils professional commitments in good faith.
Conducts herself/himself with honesty , integrity and fairness.
Remains free of conflict of interest , while fulfilling the objectives and maintaining the intergrity of the dietetic profession.
Maintains confidentiality of infomation.
Practises dietetics based on scientific principles and current information.
Continues to meet the standards of proficiency for the safe and effective practice of the dietetic profession.
Assumes responsibility and accountability for personal competence in practice.
Recognises and exercise professional judgement within the limits of her / his qualifications and seeks counsel or makes referrals as appropriate.
Provides sufficient information to enable client to make their own informed decisions.
Inform when appropriate, the public and colleagues of his / her services by using factual information. The dietitian does not advertise in a false or misleading manner.
Permits the use of her/his name of the purpose of endorsing dietetic servises only if she/he has provided or supervised the provision of those services.
The dietitian if in her/his scope of employment, as part of her/his job, has to be involved in the marketing of products or services, will have to impart information in a manner, which is neither false nor misleading.
Presents substantial information and interprets controversial information wihtout personal bias, reconising that legitimate differences of opinion exits.
Makes reasonable effort to avoid bias in any kind professional evaluation.
Voluntarily withdraw from professional practice under the following circumstances:
- Has engaged in any substance abuse, which could affect her/his pratice.
- Has been adjusdged by a court to be mentally incompetent.
- Has a mental or physical disability that affects her/his pratice in a manner, which could harm the client, or is not in the public’s interest.
Complies with all applicable laws and regulations concerning the profession and delivery of services.
Accepts the obligation to protect society and profession by upholding the Code of Professional Conduct for the profession of Dietetics and by reporting alleged violations of the code.
Uses the good name of the MDA only with the permission of the President and in consultation with members of the Executive Council.