Post by Amélie Grey on Jan 17, 2007 15:39:34 GMT -5
Doctor's Code of Ethics
1. A doctor shall protect human health. A doctor shall cure, alleviate and console. A doctor shall help the ill to regain their health and the healthy to preserve theirs. A doctor shall base his practice on respect for fundamental human rights, and on truth and justice in relation to patients and to society.
2. A doctor shall safeguard the interests and integrity of the individual patient. The patient shall be treated with compassion, care and respect. Cooperation with the patient should be based on mutual trust and where possible on informed consent.
3. A patient is entitled to information on his or her condition and treatment and normally to access to the information in the patient's case sheet. The patient shall be informed to the extent he or she wishes. Information which may be thought to be particularly difficult to bear, shall be given with care.
4. A doctor shall maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in respect of information he or she obtains in his or her medical capacity. The ethical obligation to maintain professional secrecy and discretion may extend further than the statutory obligation. The giving of information must be grounded in the patient's implicit or explicit consent or in a statute.
5. A doctor must when a patient's life is ending show respect for the patient's right of self-determination. Active euthanasia, i.e. measures intended to hasten a patient's death, must not be engaged in. A doctor must not help a patient to commit suicide. To terminate or to refrain from initiating treatment which is of no avail is not considered active euthanasia.
6. When a patient is in urgent need of medical assistance, this shall be provided as soon as possible. The obligation to provide immediate assistance ceases to apply if the doctor has ascertained that another doctor is providing assistance.
A doctor can refuse to treat a patient provided the patient has reasonable access to treatment by another doctor.
7. A doctor must not exploit a patient sexually, financially, religiously or in any other way. A patient's consent does not absolve the doctor of responsibility. A doctor must not enter into sexual relations with a person whose doctor he or she is.
8. A doctor shall in his or her practice have due regard for his or her patient's financial circumstances and not charge unreasonable fees.
9. In examinations and treatment a doctor shall only employ methods indicated by sound medical practice. Methods which expose the patient to unnecessary risk shall not be employed. If a doctor does not possess the skill a method calls for, he or she shall ensure that the patient receives other competent treatment.
A doctor must not use or recommend methods which lack foundations in scientific research or sufficient medical experience. A doctor must not allow him- or herself to be pressed into using medical methods which he or she regards as professionally incorrect.
When new methods are being tried out, regard for the patient on whom they are being tried shall be the primary concern.
10. A doctor shall maintain and constantly seek to renew his or her knowledge.
A doctor should according to his or her competence contribute to the development and mediation of medical knowledge.
11. A doctor should according to his or her ability contribute to objective information to the public and the authorities on medical matters. A doctor who pronounces on medical matters to the media should ensure that he or she will be able to check the form in which the pronouncements are made public.
12. A doctor shall in his or her practice have due regard for the national economy. Unnecessary or excessively costly methods must not be employed.
A doctor must contribute to the distribution of medical resources in accordance with generally accepted ethical norms. A doctor must in no way seek to provide individual patients or groups with unjustified advantages, whether financial, in respect of priorities, or otherwise. A doctor must give notice of insufficient resources in his or her area of responsibility.
II. Rules governing the relations of doctors with their colleagues and collaborators
1. A doctor must show respect for colleagues and collaborators, and assist, advise and guide them.
2. A doctor who sees signs of professional or ethical failings in a colleague or collaborator should first take the matter up directly with the person concerned. The approach should be tactful, especially towards students or doctors in training.
If this does not have the desired effect, the doctor should take the matter up with the person's administrative superior, bodies of the Medical Association, or the competent health authority.
A doctor who sees signs of illness or abuse of intoxicants in a colleague or collaborator should offer his/her assistance.
3. A doctor should take care of his own health and seek help if it fails.
4. A doctor should take care not to criticise colleagues and collaborators in the presence of patients and their relatives, but must always keep the patient's interests in view.
5. Public and other debates between colleagues on medical questions and health policy issues must be conducted in an objective manner.
6. The referring and referring back of patients between colleagues must be based on professional medical criteria and the patient's need for continuous health services.
7. Doctors must communicate with one another openly and trustfully. Exchanges of information between doctors concerning patients must take place sufficiently quickly and cover what is professionally necessary.
8. Practice with regard to referrals must not be governed by personal financial interests.
Doctor's Oath:
At the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession:
I solemnly pledge myself to consecrate my life to the service of humanity;
I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude which is their due;
I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity; the health of my patient will be my first consideration;
I will maintain by all the means in my power, the honor and the noble traditions of the medical profession; my colleagues will be my brothers;
I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, party politics or social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient;
I will maintain the utmost respect for human life from the time of conception, even under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity;
I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honor.
1. A doctor shall protect human health. A doctor shall cure, alleviate and console. A doctor shall help the ill to regain their health and the healthy to preserve theirs. A doctor shall base his practice on respect for fundamental human rights, and on truth and justice in relation to patients and to society.
2. A doctor shall safeguard the interests and integrity of the individual patient. The patient shall be treated with compassion, care and respect. Cooperation with the patient should be based on mutual trust and where possible on informed consent.
3. A patient is entitled to information on his or her condition and treatment and normally to access to the information in the patient's case sheet. The patient shall be informed to the extent he or she wishes. Information which may be thought to be particularly difficult to bear, shall be given with care.
4. A doctor shall maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in respect of information he or she obtains in his or her medical capacity. The ethical obligation to maintain professional secrecy and discretion may extend further than the statutory obligation. The giving of information must be grounded in the patient's implicit or explicit consent or in a statute.
5. A doctor must when a patient's life is ending show respect for the patient's right of self-determination. Active euthanasia, i.e. measures intended to hasten a patient's death, must not be engaged in. A doctor must not help a patient to commit suicide. To terminate or to refrain from initiating treatment which is of no avail is not considered active euthanasia.
6. When a patient is in urgent need of medical assistance, this shall be provided as soon as possible. The obligation to provide immediate assistance ceases to apply if the doctor has ascertained that another doctor is providing assistance.
A doctor can refuse to treat a patient provided the patient has reasonable access to treatment by another doctor.
7. A doctor must not exploit a patient sexually, financially, religiously or in any other way. A patient's consent does not absolve the doctor of responsibility. A doctor must not enter into sexual relations with a person whose doctor he or she is.
8. A doctor shall in his or her practice have due regard for his or her patient's financial circumstances and not charge unreasonable fees.
9. In examinations and treatment a doctor shall only employ methods indicated by sound medical practice. Methods which expose the patient to unnecessary risk shall not be employed. If a doctor does not possess the skill a method calls for, he or she shall ensure that the patient receives other competent treatment.
A doctor must not use or recommend methods which lack foundations in scientific research or sufficient medical experience. A doctor must not allow him- or herself to be pressed into using medical methods which he or she regards as professionally incorrect.
When new methods are being tried out, regard for the patient on whom they are being tried shall be the primary concern.
10. A doctor shall maintain and constantly seek to renew his or her knowledge.
A doctor should according to his or her competence contribute to the development and mediation of medical knowledge.
11. A doctor should according to his or her ability contribute to objective information to the public and the authorities on medical matters. A doctor who pronounces on medical matters to the media should ensure that he or she will be able to check the form in which the pronouncements are made public.
12. A doctor shall in his or her practice have due regard for the national economy. Unnecessary or excessively costly methods must not be employed.
A doctor must contribute to the distribution of medical resources in accordance with generally accepted ethical norms. A doctor must in no way seek to provide individual patients or groups with unjustified advantages, whether financial, in respect of priorities, or otherwise. A doctor must give notice of insufficient resources in his or her area of responsibility.
II. Rules governing the relations of doctors with their colleagues and collaborators
1. A doctor must show respect for colleagues and collaborators, and assist, advise and guide them.
2. A doctor who sees signs of professional or ethical failings in a colleague or collaborator should first take the matter up directly with the person concerned. The approach should be tactful, especially towards students or doctors in training.
If this does not have the desired effect, the doctor should take the matter up with the person's administrative superior, bodies of the Medical Association, or the competent health authority.
A doctor who sees signs of illness or abuse of intoxicants in a colleague or collaborator should offer his/her assistance.
3. A doctor should take care of his own health and seek help if it fails.
4. A doctor should take care not to criticise colleagues and collaborators in the presence of patients and their relatives, but must always keep the patient's interests in view.
5. Public and other debates between colleagues on medical questions and health policy issues must be conducted in an objective manner.
6. The referring and referring back of patients between colleagues must be based on professional medical criteria and the patient's need for continuous health services.
7. Doctors must communicate with one another openly and trustfully. Exchanges of information between doctors concerning patients must take place sufficiently quickly and cover what is professionally necessary.
8. Practice with regard to referrals must not be governed by personal financial interests.
Doctor's Oath:
At the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession:
I solemnly pledge myself to consecrate my life to the service of humanity;
I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude which is their due;
I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity; the health of my patient will be my first consideration;
I will maintain by all the means in my power, the honor and the noble traditions of the medical profession; my colleagues will be my brothers;
I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, party politics or social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient;
I will maintain the utmost respect for human life from the time of conception, even under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity;
I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honor.
