Nasw Code Of Ethics Summary

The article is important to social workers for several reasons, but particularly in regards to raising awareness in diagnosing individuals properly. Social workers are expected to diagnose mental disorders following practice standards. A social worker that fails to properly diagnose a client with a mental disorder resulting in the client being harmed could be liable for malpractice. Social workers can be liable for a malpractice suit, because of misdiagnoses and failure to diagnose clients for proper treatment.
Social workers have an ethical duty to follow the NASW Code of Ethics. The NASW Code of Ethics outlines the principles and values of social work. Social workers must provide their clients an appropriate standard of care. Social workers must not do harm to clients, even when it is unintentional. In addition, social workers must not commit fraud. The fact that social workers are licensed to provide a diagnosis does not mean they are all competent. A diagnosis should not be given just for reimbursement of services, because a diagnosis affects a client’s future.
Social workers need to analyze and ask themselves why they are providing a diagnosis.
Social workers need to be aware of the implications a misdiagnosis and an …show more content…
A social worker is not automatically qualified to diagnose clients just because their license legally allows them to. Since, social workers will continue to be diagnosing their clients, it is in their best interests to become educated on the DSM to provide proper diagnoses. Above all, social workers should educate themselves about the ethical and legal implications to properly diagnose clients. While diagnosing clients without being competent is highly discouraged, the reality is social workers are expected to diagnose clients. Hence, social workers need to assess themselves on whether they are prepared to diagnose