Professional Malpractice

Professional Malpractice

Malpractice can be defined as:-

1.     Evil practice.

2.     Illegal and immoral practice.

3.     Practice which is contrary to established rule.

4.     Specifically, the treatment of a case by a professional in a manner which is contrary to accepted rules, and providing unfavourable results.

5.     A wrongful act that the doctor has right to do.

6.     Improper professional conduct.

7.     Professional wrong doing that results in injury or damage.

From the understanding above, any chaplain who engage in evil practice or things contrary to the acceptable practice of chaplaincy globally or against the ethical provisions for professional chaplaincy practice and service delivery may be accused of mal-practice and may be sued for such.

Here, we must all begin to see reasons why we must practice chaplaincy rightly. The practice of chaplaincy cannot be overemphasized, yet the right practice of chaplaincy professionally is much more important.

Chaplaincy being a structured profession; a laid down principles or rules and regulations that guide the practice of the profession by qualified professional chaplains. Chaplaincy should not be practiced haphazardly, but the acceptable protocol and procedures must be followed at all times.

Professional chaplaincy practice is not a fire brigade approach, chaplaincy practice is well structured and should be learned by anyone who desire to practice it as a profession.

In view of the above subject matter, it is my candid opinion that all practicing chaplains practice chaplaincy with decorum, dignity and in line with the ethical standards of the profession.

We should all be conversant with the provision of the code of ethics of chaplaincy profession as well as the code of conducts and abide with such provisions in our daily practices.

The three main documents that guide the practice of chaplaincy are the code of ethics, the code of conducts and the standards of professional chaplaincy practice and service delivery.

The composition of the practice committe, ethical commission, disciplinary committee of The Association of Professional Chaplains in  Nigeria and Continent of Africa must reflect that membership of such commission believe in the documents, making use of them in their own practice professionally.

Any time a petition or allegation information gets to APCIN’s authority, practice, ethical and disciplinary committee will be asked to look into the case with the views of making their recommendations to APCIN’s leadership for the needed action, steps or comments on the happenings.

NB: Inadequate composition of such committee will bring ridicule and shame to the association and chaplaincy profession.

Prof. Mike-Jacobs

Chaplaincy Educator