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Member of the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA)

Purpose: The National End-of-Life Doula Alliance supports end-of-life doulas (EOLD) by offering this Code of Ethics as a working guide to standards for appropriate behavior and practices in business and research. Our goal is to encourage EOLD practices that exhibit compassion, integrity, consistency, and competency across all platforms and approaches by providing clear ethical expectations of practicing end-of-life doulas.

Code of Ethics

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 with money 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.

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For the complete list: NEDA Code of Ethics page

Roles and Limitations

The Role of the End-of-Life Doula

  • The essence of doula care is to provide non-medical, non-judgmental support and guidance to individuals and families through times of critical, transformative life change.

  • EOL doulas nurture, inform, support, guide, empower and comfort.

  • EOL doulas work with other caregivers and members of the medical team.

  • Doulas foster self-determination in their clients by assisting them in gathering information and encouraging them to make informed choices that are right for them.

  • For client needs outside of the doula’s scope of practice, the doula makes referrals to appropriate professionals and community resources.

  • Doula support is focused on, and adapted to, the unique needs and requirements of each family served.


Limitations to Practice

  • As non-medical care providers, end-of-life doulas do not perform clinical tasks (e.g., monitor vital signs, administer medication, bathing patients, etc.).

  • The doula refrains from giving medical advice or from persuading clients to follow a specific course of action or treatment.

  • The doula refrains from imposing his/her own values and beliefs on the client.

  • Doulas do not undermine their clients’ confidence in their caregiver(s). Instead, the doula uses good listening skills to support clients who initiate a discussion about dissatisfaction with a caregiver's practice or attitudes.

  • Doulas do not usurp the role of other professionals and caregivers such as the hospice nurse, social worker, chaplain, home health aide, etc.

  • Doulas may be present at the request of the client, but doulas do not facilitate the medical aid-in-dying process

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Sourced from the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA)

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