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CDO Releases Updated Code of Ethics Highlighting Equity and Technology Advancements

Posted: May 23, 2024

Publié le 23 May 2024

The College of Dietitians of Ontario has updated its Code of Ethics to emphasize EDI-B, address new technologies, and ensure ethical practices in the digital age.

CDO has published a significant update to its Code of Ethics, offering a principled approach to guiding ethical practice within the profession.
 
The revised Code emphasizes the importance of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDI-B) in shaping how dietitians interact with clients and colleagues. It provides specific guidance on core ethical principles and includes new sections that address the evolving landscape of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and social media, to ensure ethical standards remain strong in the digital age.
 
"This revised Code is a pivotal moment for ethical practice in dietetics," says Carole Chatalalsingh, Director of Professional Practice at CDO. "By embedding stronger ethical expectations and promoting critical thinking, we aim to ensure dietitians continue to uphold the highest standards as they serve their clients and communities."

The important role of dietitians in maintaining public trust in a digital age is addressed throughout the new Code, including standards of transparency and integrity in relation to advertising and relationships with commercial entities, and the prevention or disclosure of conflicts of interest. When it comes to social media, the new Code gives dietitians more guidance in exercising professional judgment and can be used in conjunction with new advertising standards and guidelines to be released this fall by CDO.
 
The Code remains applicable to registered dietitians, dietetic practicum students, and applicants to the College. Stay tuned for further updates and deep dives into the implications of these developments at the 2024 CDO workshops.

You can review the updated Code of Ethics here.