Code of Ethics

Purpose

NEDA supports doulas by offering this Code of Ethics as a working guide of standards for appropriate behavior and practices in business and research. Our goal is to encourage doula practices that exhibit compassion, integrity, consistency, and competency across all platforms and approaches by providing clear ethical expectations of practicing doulas.

Definition

End-of-life doula is a collective term NEDA uses to describe those who provide a broad range of holistic, non-medical support services to people who are preparing for or experiencing end of life. There is no all-inclusive or definitive list of ways that EOLDs engage in the practice, however many are described in the Doula Scope of Practice. While specific offerings vary by doula, services may include but are not limited to: education and guidance to the greater community and to individuals; emotional, spiritual and social care; and practical or logistical assistance before, during, and after death. Doulas complement and supplement the work of family and other caregivers, including hospice providers.

NEDA, as a membership organization, provides the highest ethical standards to guide our members’ conduct. NEDA members agree to:

act honestly, truthfully, and with integrity in all their transactions and dealings;
avoid conflicts of interest;
appropriately handle actual or apparent conflicts of interest in their relationships;
treat every individual with dignity and respect;
honor confidentiality;
deal fairly and with total transparency in financial matters;
comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law;
act responsibly toward the communities in which they work and for the benefit of the communities that they serve;
be responsible, transparent and accountable for all their actions.

Conduct

Doulas maintain the highest standards of conduct in their service to others.
Doulas do not engage in nor condone acts by others that may constitute sexual harassment.

Confidentiality

Doulas protect information received in confidence from individuals, families, caregivers, and involved professionals.
Doulas share information only with written permission, except in the case that the information may inform a situation that is life-threatening (as in the case of communicable disease) and all efforts to obtain permission have been exhausted.
Doulas take all necessary precautions to safeguard their clients’ electronic (including social media), written, and spoken communications with anyone involved, including extended family and professional colleagues.
Doulas continue to protect the privacy of individuals and involved parties after death occurs.
Doulas obtain written consent to disclose details of cases for the purpose of educating others and take care to disguise names and details.
Doulas are judicious when sharing confidences with colleagues, respecting the privacy of all involved.

Conflict of Interest

Doulas do not accept gifts from suppliers, organizations, or businesses that in any way set up a reciprocal expectation.
Doulas do not show favor to clients for personal benefit.
Doulas are aware of conflicts that may arise between their role as consultant, the families they serve, and other professionals.
Doulas are free to consult with other professionals provided that the consultation does not place the consultant in a position of conflict of interest and providing that all concerns of privacy, informed consent, and confidentiality are met.
Doulas avoid conflicts of interest that interfere with discretion and impartial judgment. If a real or perceived conflict of interest arises, they take reasonable steps to resolve the issue in a manner that reflects the best interests of the person(s) served.

Completion of Duties

Doulas have a duty to complete services as contracted according to the terms of agreement.
Doulas unable to conclude the contract will give ample advanced notice, help the family find a replacement, and refund any fees for services that were incomplete.
Doulas are strongly encouraged to provide contracts in the form of a detailed proposal, including aims, activities, costs, timescales and deliverables.

Communication

Doulas accurately describe training, expertise, and credentials when representing themselves to the media or other outside entities.
Doulas represent the end-of-life doula profession in a responsible, ethical, and professional manner at all times.
Doulas maintain high standards of scholarship and objectivity when presenting information regarding end-of-life issues and practices.

Duty of Care

Doulas have a duty to care for others and do no harm.
Doulas keep the highest standards of practice and conduct at the forefront of all services provided.
Doulas treat others with the highest level of dignity and respect.
Doulas take great care in communicating when collaborating with other EOL professionals.

Education

Doulas provide accurate and timely information to the public, including individuals, families, communities, support networks, and other professionals, as needed.
Doulas accurately represent their level of training and credentials, and attempt to provide educational material that is unbiased and consistent with doula best practices
Doulas make every effort to participate in continuing education to stay informed and active in the doula community.

Equality and Discrimination

Doulas exercise fair and objective judgment when providing quality services to all, regardless of age, color, race, gender, sexual orientation, lifestyle, religion, national origin, marital status, political belief, or mental or physical ability.

Legal Compliance

Doulas comply with the spirit and letter of the law.
Doulas know the legal ramifications and consequences of acting beyond the scope of practice as defined by NEDA and all local, state, and federal laws.
Doulas are responsible for knowing and abiding by the laws and regulations that directly and indirectly affect their services.
Doulas adhere to the highest standards when dealing with public officials and may not accept, offer, provide, or solicit any special treatment or favor from those in law enforcement, politics, or other regulating or enforcement offices.
Doulas are responsible for knowing what after-death services can and cannot be legally charged for and acting accordingly to protect the rights of families.

Fees for Service

Doulas may charge for pre-death services and bereavement services; any post-death care of the deceased’s body must be on a consultation basis only and must conform to FTC regulations regarding the practice of funeral directing.
Doulas provide complete, detailed cost information in writing prior to beginning service.
Doulas do not solicit funds from clients separate from the contract for services. Once the agreed-upon financial transaction is concluded, the client is under no further financial commitment, obligation, or responsibility to the EOLD.
Doulas do not offer, seek, or accept payment of any kind for referral services.

Professionalism

Doulas treat colleagues with respect, integrity, sensitivity, and collegiality.
Doulas provide transparent, detailed information to clients in writing about the services they will and may offer.
Doulas cooperate with other professional groups.

Doulas are aware of their competency limits and do not misrepresent themselves as having training, experience, or qualifications beyond those they possess.

Research

Doulas designing and conducting research comply with the Belmont Report’s areas of research ethics, including respect for person, beneficence, and justice.
Doulas do not design or conduct research without appropriate training. (See NEDA Research Best Practices).
Doulas do not participate in research that entails a real or perceived conflict of interest.
Doulas employ a recognized informed consent process in all research.
Doulas seek approval from an institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee before initiating research projects.

Volunteer Services

Doulas who volunteer services are held to the same standards as those who charge a fee for service.
Doulas volunteer their services when conducting after-death care.