1. Achieving Physician Integrity Through Traditional Siddha Medical Ethics
M. Dhivya,
T. Sasi Priya
A. Shifana Raheema,
Samsul Nisha Fathima,
M. Tamizhamuthu,
Thomas M. Walter.
Govt. Siddha Medical College, Tirunelveli, TN.

2. Background Indians have witnessed the
Highest attainable place for Physicians among the General Public.
In Rural areas, people remove their foot-wear when entering into a Physician’s room – a habit they follow when entering into their place of Worship.
This habit is being passed through generations.

3. Current scenario
But now, there are reports where Physicians are blamed, booked under Consumer act etc.
India is said to have one of the most corrupt medical systems in the world.
Patients today approach the doctor with questions regarding their efficiency & success rate, faith and fear, of hope and hostility.

4. Current scenario – contd…
This leads to a distorted
Doctor-Patient relationship,
Doctors may fleece patients
Patients or their relatives may blackmail doctors.
In order to regain and experience the lost Integrity, we have put forth suggestions based on the Ethics of Traditional Indian Systems of Medicine.

5. Ethics are local
The literate of Traditional systems look backwards to their basic texts for knowledge,
where as Western medicine looks forward through research for knowledge.
So the concept that is found is often fundamentally different.

6. Ethics in siddha Medicine
Theriyar’s view
The physician should fulfill eligibility criteria.
Special emphasis on treatment regime,
Non commercialization of the medical profession and
Guru Sishya Parampara being the ideal way of learning.

7. Ethics in Ayurveda Medicine
Charaka’s view
Friendship
Sympathy towards the sick
Interest in cases
No attachment with patient
after recovery.
Susrutha’s view
Patient may doubt his relatives, sons, and even his parents but he has faith in the physician. So the physician should look the patient as his own son.

8. Synonyms of Physicians along with meanings
Parihari The person who utilizes the vitals and his basic knowledge to determine the disease.
Vaithiyan - The person who is well-versed in preparing Medicines.
Garan - means the person who does favor.

9. Synonyms of Physicians
Maruthuvan - The person who correctly diagnose the disorder and prescribes the exact medicine.
Paran The person is rightly compared to the Almighty.

10. Ethical requirements of a Good Physician
Better to be old-aged.
Should have three eyes – i.e., should be well versed in
A. purification of drugs, B. diagnosis,
C .Synonyms of medicine
To start with herbal medicines and then prescribe metal and mineral formulations.

11. Negative characters of Physicians’ as per Siddha Literature
1. Saddish - Those who are always sad, (because of lack of justification) 2. Boasting themselves as a good physicians. 3. An arrogant character (don’t have an mercy) 4. A gambler (since his mind is focused on gambling only, he will not any other thought)

12. Negative characters of Physicians’ as per Siddha Literature
5. Lazy persons with excessive sleep (not having self confidence, cannot do any work properly) 6. Self-centered 7. Persons who are not committed to worldly affairs (Thavasi) 8. Persons addicted to Alcohol
9. Assuring to treat the disorders beyond his knowledge limit. 10. Such persons, who causes more ill-effects to Patients, carries the curse even for his forth-coming generations.

13. Desired characters for Medical fraternity
with out distress
Having knowledge about anatomy
Those who have not commit Panchama paathagam (5 types of major sins).
Living in a family set up

14. Desired character for Medical fraternity
Frequently uses sandal and musky scent (by -product of civet cat)
To be familiar with Geographical origin (Thinai) of patient
Should always wear white cloths.

15. Books to be learned
Along with Regular texts, he should be well-versed in
Language books
Mathematics
Logistics
Astrology
Sara Nool markam
(Pranayama-breath exercise)

16. Need for respect to Teachers (Guru)
The Student (Sishya) must show his utmost respect and gratitude to his teacher (Guru).
The Teacher - Student relationship is compared to Father – Son relation.
Before learning an art from the teacher the student should provide him with proper compliments (Guru Thatchanai).

17. Placing Patients’ interest before his own
Treating the patients by concerning only his health will lead to a well blessed and cherished life of the Physician.
He shouldn’t involve his personal conflicts of Interest within the treatment.

18. Special Considerations
Protecting patients from harm & injustice
Respecting patients right to make decisions
Avoiding intimacy with patients
Prevent as well as cure.

19. Protecting patients confidentiality
A Physician should confine the secrets of the patient within himself even after the patient’s demise.
Never tell anyone about a patient unless it is directly related to his or her care and you have permission.

20. Conclusion
Traditional Siddha ethics has attributed to the highest attainable Physician integrity through many of its guidelines.
This level of attribution has taken Physicians to be seen as next to God.
If the relevant and applicable portions of the ethical guidelines are followed by the Medical fraternity and if such guidelines are incorporated by the Policy makers into the Medical curriculum, the highest level of Physician integrity can surely be achieved.

21. Acknowledgement My grateful thanks to my lecturer,
“Dr. Thomas M. Walter and Mrs. Sweety Nirmala”
And gleeful thanks to my friends and colleagues who helped me a lot in my work.