25.G. Round table: Public health codes of ethical professional conduct for effective practice

Abstract

Abstract One of the major outputs of the WHO Regional Office for Europe “Coalition of Partners” initiative has been the development of the “Road map for professionalization of the public health workforce in Europe.” Public health ethics was considered as one of the key pillars for practice for the workforce. The report highlighted the case and urgent need for development of Public Health Codes of ethics and professional conduct (CoC) as an essential part of workforce development strategies. The development of CoCs is considered essential to pursue the mission and moral mandate of public health and to clarify the purpose of professional activities in public health. Scotland has been working as an initial pilot site in Europe to consider developing a CoC for its workforce as part of its public health reform program. The purpose of this roundtable workshop is to share and reflect on the learning from the process, experience and findings from development of the Scottish CoC as the first pilot site in Europe and implications for development of such codes in other public health systems. The workshop will also share the evidence, rationale and background to CoC with research and learning from around the world on the issue. The Roundtable will include brief presentations by an experienced expert panel of senior public health leaders, ethicists and academics who have been working on development of public health Codes of professional conduct. This will be followed by reflection, consultation and debate with participants around the case, nature and options for development of codes of practice and distinguishing features for public health practice. There are issues to whether there is need for country specific, regional or global codes of ethics taking account core public health values and implications for practice. One of the key issues identified is fundamental importance of ensuring such work is linked to a strategy and activities to build competency and capacity around public health ethics and law and to ensure resources, systems and robust education and training activities are put in place for a sustainable development of the issue. Key messages The Development of CoCs is important in order to support the workforce, pursue the mission and moral mandate of public health and clarify the purpose of professional activities. There is need to develop activities and strategy for building competency and capacity in public health ethics alongside development of Code of ethics and professional conduct.