Alaska Occupational Health is committed to maintaining the highest levels of professional integrity and ethical conduct in our practice. Following is the code of ethical conduct of the American Occupational Medical Association, which we proudly adhere to.

These principles are intended to aid physicians in maintaining ethical conduct in providing occupational medical service. They are standards to guide physicians in their relationships with the individuals they serve, with employers and workers' representatives, with colleagues in the health professions, and with the public.

Physicians should:

1. accord highest priority to the health and safety of the individual in the workplace;

2. practice on a scientific basis with objectivity and integrity;

3. make or endorse only statements which reflect their observations or honest opinion;

4. actively oppose and strive to correct unethical conduct in relation to occupational health service;

5. avoid allowing their medical judgement to be influenced by any conflict of interest;

6. strive conscientiously to become familiar with the medical fitness requirements, the environment and the hazards of the work done by those they serve, and with the health and safety aspects of the products and operations involved;

7. treat as confidential whatever is learned about individuals served, releasing information only when required by law or by over-riding public health considerations, or to other physicians at the request of the individual according to traditional medical ethical practice, and should recognize that employers are entitled to counsel about the medical fitness of individuals in relation to work, but are not entitled to diagnoses or details of a specific nature;

8. strive continually to improve medical knowledge, and should communicate information about health hazards in timely and effective fashion to individuals or groups potentially affected, and make appropriate reports to the scientific community;

9. communicate understandably to those they serve any significant observations about their health, recommending further study, counsel or treatment when indicated;

10. seek consultation concerning the individual or the workplace whenever indicated;

11. cooperate with government health personnel and agencies, and foster and maintain sound ethical relationships with other members of the health professions; and

12. avoid solicitation of the use of their services by making claims, offering testimonials, or implying results which may not be achieved, but they may apropriately advise colleagues and others of services available.

Adopted by the Board of Directors of the American Occupational Medical Association, July 23, 1976

McCunney, MD, MPH _Handbook of Occupational Medicine_ 1988