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

This Code of Professional Conduct has been developed to support the members of Malaysian Dietitians’ Association by providing clear guidance on what is considered to be the minimum standards of professional conduct to ensure that their practice is safe, effective and of quality.

1.0 The objectives of the Code of Professional Conduct :

•	To raise the standard of nutrition and dietetic practices, support and protect the character, status and interest of the persons practising the profession of dietetics.
•	To protect the good name and credibility of the profession.

The following guidelines should direct dietetic practice :

A dietitian must continually strive to improve her/his professional knowledge, and reassess practices in dietetics to be in-line with current research findings.
Other than in an emergency, a dietitian may advise an individual therapeutically :
1. If referred by a patient’s medical practitioner or dental practitioner or
2. After medical nutrition therapy or dietary treatment has been agreed in consultation with the patient’s medical practitioner or dental practitioner or
3. Via a procedure which has been previously agreed by the dietitian and relevent medical staff and which is in accordance with a registrant’s professional duty.
These considerations do not preclude arrangements being made for the acceptance of referrals from other health professionals provided they fall within the procedure refereed to in (2.2.3) above.
A dietitian must act impartially, and give a uniformly high standard of treatment to all people regardless of sex, race, religion, politics or socio - economic status.
She/he has the responsibility to provide therapeutic and nutritionally adequate meals, which is an essential part of the total treatment of each patient, whether directly or indirectly in her/his care.
A dietitian must operate within the constraints of professional secrecy. She / he must not divulge confidential information about patients except to those involved in their treatment.
A dietitian has a responsibility to members of related professions to appreciate their roles and maintain harmonious relations.
A dietitian has a responsibility to interest her/ himself towards the health of the community and should participate in activities where her / his knowledge is of value.
A dietitian should not improperly promote the sale of any product in connection with her/his profession as a dietitian or for her / his personal advantage. For example:
1. Use a single brand name as sole description of a product or
2. Endorse a product through the use of the dietitian’s name and/or position or
3. Be associated directly with the product, or
4. Fail to mention suitable alternatives, except for whom the job requires them to do such promotions or
5. Be involved in the advertisement of a product, either directly or indirectly eg. name appearing on a product.
When participating in events organized by a commercial firm, or writing articles in the print media under similar circumstances, dietitians should take every measure to ensure, that in no way is the name of the dietitian associated with the product nor are is seen to be representing the product or services.
Dietitians employed by the commercial sector must bear in mind their professional aims, and safeguard their independence.
Dietitians should not accept commission from commercial firms for promoting brand names and do not allow their professional standing to be used in direct endorsement of commercial products.
The Association as a whole may solicit and accept donations for the benefit of all members, so long as there is no obligation to the company or organization that make the donations.
Scientific evidence is the only basis on which a positive health statement should be made for the general principles the products or services exemplifies.
The dietitian may be associated with activites that are beneficial to the public eg: imparting nutritional knowledge, although the activity may be sponsored by a company. It is important to give unbiased information without making misleading claims and / or seen to advertise or talk highly of the product or its contents.
Dietitians should act against fraud and deceptive practices in their field.

These guidelines have been established to help dietitians comprehend the code of practice and ethical behaviour.

Although MDA has the right to censure or refuse membership privileges to any member who, in the opinion of the Executive Council, has flouted the Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct, thereby bringing discredit to the dietetic profession. If necessary, external arbitrator(s) may be appointed to seek a resolution.

Should it be necessary for the Executive Council to deprive a member of membership privileges, the Executive Council must give that member three weeks' notice in writing of its intention and the reasons for its actions. The member must show cause why disciplinary action cannot be taken against her / him. Suggestions, complaints and/or grievances should be done in writing with name and address stated, to the Honarary Secretary of MDA.