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 PHYSICIANS TO 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, 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