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International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

Preamble

The International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (IANM) is dedicated to advancing the science, education, and clinical practice of neuromusculoskeletal medicine through excellence in patient care, lifelong learning, scientific inquiry, and professional integrity.

Members, Fellows, Diplomates, faculty, and officers of the Academy recognize that the privilege of serving patients carries significant ethical responsibilities. This Code establishes the professional standards expected of all individuals representing the Academy.

The primary obligation of every IANM member is the health, safety, dignity, and well-being of the patient.

Article I

Commitment to the Patient

Members shall:

  • Place the patient’s welfare above personal, political, or financial interests.
  • Respect patient dignity, autonomy, privacy, and informed decision-making.
  • Deliver care with compassion, honesty, and respect.
  • Maintain confidentiality in accordance with applicable laws.
  • Obtain informed consent appropriate to each clinical encounter.
  • Practice within their education, training, licensure, and demonstrated competency.
  • Refer patients when another provider possesses greater expertise or when additional care is indicated.

Article II

Evidence-Informed Clinical Practice

Members shall:

  • Base clinical recommendations upon the best available scientific evidence integrated with clinical expertise and patient values.
  • Avoid unsupported claims regarding diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment effectiveness.
  • Continually evaluate emerging scientific literature.
  • Distinguish established evidence from personal opinion or developing hypotheses.
  • Accurately communicate benefits, limitations, and risks of proposed interventions.

Article III

Professional Competence

Members shall:

  • Pursue lifelong professional education.
  • Maintain competency within their area of practice according to International Continuing Clinical Competence (ICCC) standards.
  • Participate in continuing education.
  • Support postgraduate education and mentorship.
  • Recognize personal limitations and seek consultation when appropriate.

Article IV

Honor, Integrity and Honesty

Members shall:

  • Conduct themselves with honor, integrity and honestly in all professional activities.
  • Avoid fraud, deception, or misrepresentation.
  • Accurately represent credentials, certifications, fellowships, and professional experience.
  • Maintain truthful advertising and public communications.
  • Avoid plagiarism in presentations, publications, and educational materials.

Article V

Scientific Integrity

Members shall:

  • Promote objective scientific inquiry.
  • Report research honestly.
  • Disclose study limitations.
  • Avoid fabrication or falsification of research.
  • Properly acknowledge collaborators.
  • Encourage critical thinking and scholarly discussion.

Article VI

Professional Relationships

Members shall:

  • Treat colleagues with courtesy and respect.
  • Encourage interdisciplinary cooperation.
  • Resolve disagreements professionally.
  • Support ethical conduct among peers.
  • Avoid harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or retaliation.

Article VII

Patient Communication

Members shall:

  • Communicate honestly and clearly.
  • Present realistic expectations.
  • Explain reasonable treatment alternatives.
  • Respect cultural and individual differences.
  • Encourage shared decision-making.

Article VIII

Conflicts of Interest

Members shall:

  • Disclose financial relationships that may influence professional judgment.
  • Avoid undisclosed conflicts of interest.
  • Place patient interests before financial gain.
  • Separate educational content from commercial promotion.
  • Maintain transparency regarding sponsorships and industry relationships.

Article IX

Educational Responsibilities

Faculty members shall:

  • Present balanced, evidence-informed educational content.
  • Encourage independent evaluation of scientific evidence.
  • Avoid presenting personal opinions as established scientific fact.
  • Maintain academic integrity.
  • Foster an environment of respectful inquiry.

Article X

Professional Leadership

Members shall:

  • Serve as ambassadors for ethical practice.
  • Mentor future clinicians.
  • Promote professionalism within healthcare.
  • Encourage collaboration among healthcare disciplines.
  • Advance the standards of neuromusculoskeletal medicine.

Article XI

Public Trust

Members shall:

  • Conduct themselves in a manner that enhances public confidence in the profession.
  • Avoid conduct that would bring discredit upon the Academy.
  • Support public education regarding evidence-informed healthcare.
  • Promote honesty in media appearances and public communications.

Article XII

Compliance with Laws and Regulations

Members shall:

  • Comply with applicable federal, state, provincial, and local laws.
  • Maintain professional licensure where applicable.
  • Cooperate with lawful regulatory investigations.
  • Follow institutional policies governing ethical conduct.

Article XIII

Diversity, Equity, and Respect

The Academy believes every patient and professional deserves dignity and respect.

Members shall not discriminate based upon:

  • Race
  • Color
  • National origin
  • Sex
  • Age
  • Disability
  • Religion
  • Veteran status
  • Other legally protected characteristics

Article XIV

Responsibility to Report

Members who become aware of serious ethical violations involving Academy activities should report such concerns through appropriate Academy channels.

Reports shall be handled fairly, confidentially when possible, and with due process.

Article XV

Accountability

Violations of this Code may result in:

  • Educational remediation
  • Written warning
  • Probation
  • Suspension
  • Revocation of Academy membership
  • Revocation of Fellowship or Diplomate status
  • Other actions authorized by Academy policies

All disciplinary proceedings shall provide notice, an opportunity to respond, and a fair review process.

Professional Pledge

As a member of the International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, I voluntarily pledge to:

  • Place the welfare of my patients first.
  • Practice with integrity, honesty, and compassion.
  • Pursue lifelong learning.
  • Respect scientific inquiry.
  • Collaborate with fellow healthcare professionals.
  • Advance evidence-informed neuromusculoskeletal medicine.
  • Uphold the reputation of the Academy through ethical conduct and professional excellence.

I accept these responsibilities freely and recognize that public trust is earned through ethical conduct and faithful service.