CODE OF

MEDICAL ETHICS

Dr. M. BALASUBRAMANIAN, M.D.,D.V.,

Member and Former President,

Tamil Nadu Medical Council.

MEDICAL PROFESSION

IS A SCIENCE OF UNPREDICTABILITY

MEDICAL PROFESSION

IS AN ART OF PROBALITY

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

A set of fundamental principles,

Official set of laws and

Regulations

To guide the medical practitioners.

MEDICAL ETIQUETTE

Conventional laws of courtecy

Observed between members of medical profession.

MEDICAL ETHICS

Moral principles

To guide the members of medical profession.

In their dealings with patients, with each other and the state.

HIPPOCRATIC OATH Greek physician (460BC – 377 BC)

Father of western medicine

His name synonimous with ethics

His writtings provide firm scientific basis for medicine

Distinguished medicine from philosophy and religion.

Medicine not bound by superstition

But based on careful observations and inference

CHARAKA’S OATH (1000 BC)

“I shall be free from envy, not cause another death, and pray for the welfare of all creatures.

Day and night I shall not desert a patient, not commit adultery, be modest in my attire and appearance, not be drunkard or sinful, while entering a patient’s house, be accompanied by a person known to the patient.”

CODE OF MEDICAL ETHICS  

A. DECLARATION

B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PHYSICIAN IN GENERAL

CODE OF MEDICAL ETHICS  

1. Character of the physician

2. Maintaining good medical practice

3. Maintenance of medical records.

4. Display of medical degrees and registration number.

5. Highest quality assurance in patient care.

6. Payment of professional service.

7. Evasion of legal restrictions.

DUTIES OF PHYSICIANSTO THEIR PATIENTS

1. Obligations to the sick.

2. Patience, delicacy and secrecy.

3. Prognosis

4. The patient must not be negligent

DUTIES OF PHYSICIAN IN CONSULTATION

1. Unnessary consultation should be avoided.

2. Consultation for patient’s benefit.

3. Punctuality in consultation.

4. Statement to patient after consultation.

5. Difference of opinion should not be divulged unnecessarily

6. Treatment after consultation.

7. Patients referral to specialist.

8. Fees and other charges.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PHYSICIANS TO EACH OTHER

1. Dependence of physicans on each other

2. Conduct in consultation – No rivalry or envy

3. Consultant not to take charge of the case.

4. Appointment of substitute

5. Visiting another Physician’s case.

DUTIES OF PHYSICIAN TO THE PUBLIC AND TO THE PARAMEDICAL PROFESSION

1. Physicians as Citizens

2. Public and community Health

3. Pharmacists and Nurses

UNETHICAL ACTS

1. Advertising

2. Patients and copyrights.

3. Running an open shop.

4. Rebates and Commission.

5. Secret Remedies.

6. Humain Rights

7. Euthanasia.

MISCONDUCT

1. Violation of the Regulations.

2. Adultery or Improper conduct.

3. Conviction by court of law.

4. Sex Determination Tests.

5. Signing professional certificates and reports.

6. Contribution of articles to lay press for soliciting practice.

7. Claiming as specialist without special qualification.

8. Violation of ICMR guidelines in research.

PUNISHMENT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION

1. Every care should be taken that this code is violated in letter and spirit.

2. Any complaint can be brought before State Medical Council for disciplinary action.

3. Enquiry will be held and doctor will be given oppurtunity to be heard.

4. Punishment may be warning, temporary erasure and deletion from the register all together.

5. State Medical Council has the right to restore the name back after removal.

6. Professional incompetence shall be judged by peer group as per guidelines.

DECLARATION

1. I solemnly pledge myself to consecrate my life to the service of humanity.

2. Even under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of Humanity.

3. I will maintain utmost respect for human life from the time of conception.

4. I will not permit considerations of religions, nationality, race, party politics or social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient.

5. I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity.

6. The health of my patient will be my first consideration.

DECLARATION

7. I will respect the secrets which are confided in me.

8. I will give due respect and gratitude to my teachers.

9. I will maintain by all means in my power, the honour and noble traditions of medical profession.

10. I will treat my colleagues with all respect and dignity.

11. I shall abide by the Code of Medical Ethics as enunciated in the Tamil Nadu Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2003. I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honour.

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

PPROCHABLE

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

ALLANCED

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

OMPETENT

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

ELICATE

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

THICAL

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

RIENDLY

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

OOD

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

UMANISTIC

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

NFORMATIVE

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

OVIAL

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

IND

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

ISTENER

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

ODEST

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

OBLE

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

PEN MINDED

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

ATIENT

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

UALIFIED

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

EASSURING

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

KILLFULL

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

RUST WORTHY

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

NDERSTANDING

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

IGILANT

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

ISE

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

TRA

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

IELDING

PATIENT’S EXPECTATION

A DOCTOR SHOULD BE

ESTFUL

MORE TIME WITH PATIENTS

LESS TIME WITH LAWYERS

PRACTICE ETHICALLY

TO OVERCOME LEGALLY