REGULATIONS ON PROFESSIONAL CODE OF ETHICS FOR DOCTORS

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The Government has approved the Regulations on Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics for the doctors practicing allopathic system of medicine. These Regulations seek to define the character of a physician, his duties and responsibilities in general and also to the patients and his colleagues in the profession. Further, the Regulations have identified various acts of commission and omission on the part of a physician which shall be construed as unethical act and misconduct which may render him liable for disciplinary action including removal of his name from the register permanently or for a limited period. The main features of the Regulations are as given below:

Duties and Responsibilities of a physician

• Must continuously update himself with the developments in the field of medicine.
• Shall maintain the medical records of his indoor patients for three years.
• Any request for medical records by the patients shall be issued within 72 hours.
• Must expose unethical conduct on the part of members of the profession.
• Should be always ready to respond to the calls of sick and injured, particularly in emergency.
• Should avoid unnecessary consultations.
• Should display his registration number, fees and other charges on the board of his chamber.
• In consultations, no insincerity, rivalry or envy should be indulged.

Unethical Acts

• Should not solicit patients through advertisement.
• Should not solicit commission or bonus in consideration of referring patients for medical, diagnostic, surgical or other treatments.
• Should not dispense medicine on which he does not know the composition.
• Shall not aid or abet human rights violation.
• Should not practice Euthanasia. However, for withdrawal of life supporting devices in the case of brain-death etc. a team of doctors should take the decision.

Misconduct

• Conducting sex-determination test for the purpose of female foeticide.
• Disclosing secrets of a patient unless in special circumstances.
• Performing an operation without the consent of the patient/relative.
• Issuing any certificates to any person which is untrue, misleading or improper.
• Procuring patients through touts or agents.
• Absenting from duty by physicians posted in rural areas, in medical colleges and hospitals. Action for misconduct in such cases will be initiated by the Councils on the recommendation of the concerned State Governments and institutions.
• Clinical drug trial or research involving patients in violation of the guidelines of the ICMR.
• Decision on complaint against delinquent physician shall be taken within a time limit of six months.
• During pendency of complaint the Councils may restrain the physician from performing the procedure or practice under scrutiny.
• Professional incompetence shall be judged by peer group.