Well....how many of us honestly practice this or how many of us have displayed the following in the waiting area of our clinics, Nursing Homes, Tertiary Care Specialty Hospitals, Medical Colleges, Charitable Trust hospitals, Polyclinics etc?. These are not rules and regulations but common sense practice which has to be incorporated in our behaviour and must be reinforced in the behaviour of our patients only then our society will be reconditioned towards respecting our, time, knowledge, skills, chargeability, etc and only then our long lost status of Demi Gods will be reinstated.
DOCTORS’ Rights
- To equal treatment and equal benefit of the law in all applications by and dealings with government, the private sector and others. Substantive equality means that family responsibility, rural areas, historic disadvantage, etc. are relevant factors.
- Not to be unfairly discriminated against by any patient, medical scheme, medical faculty or school, government, employer or any other person or institution on the basis of their race, gender, origin or any other ground. Doctors have the right not to be harassed.
- To have his/her life protected which includes the right not to be placed in disproportional life-threatening situations.
- To freedom and security of the person which includes the right to physical autonomy and the right to be free from violence.
- Doctors have the right to reasonable accommodation of their religious beliefs, short of undue hardship to others. Doctors also have the right to clinical independence.
- To fair labor practices including fair dispensations of overtime, leave and working conditions and the right to have their grievances taken up at appropriate forums. Doctors have the right to be assisted in disciplinary enquiries, to state their side of the case and to an impartial chairperson. Doctors have the right to work in an environment that is not hostile in terms of sex, gender, sexual orientation or (presumed) race or ethnicity
Doctors’ Duties and Responsibilities
Code of Ethics
Principles of Ethical Behaviour are applicable to all physicians including those who may not be engaged directly in clinical practice.
- Consider the health and well-being of your patient to be your first priority.
- Strive to improve your knowledge and skill so that the best possible advice and treatment can be afforded to your patient.
- Honor your profession and its traditions.
- Recognize both your own limitations and the special skills of others in the prevention and treatment of disease.
- Protect the patient's secrets even after his or her death.
- Let integrity and professional ability be your chief advertisement.
Standard of Care
- Practice the science and art of medicine to the best of one's ability in full technical and moral independence and with compassion and respect for human dignity.
- Continue self education to improve one's personal standards of medical care.
- Ensure that every patient receives a complete and thorough examination into their complaint or condition
- Ensure that accurate records of fact are kept.
Respect for Patient
- Ensure that all conduct in the practice of the profession is above reproach, and that neither physical, emotional nor financial advantage is taken of any patient.
- Recognise a responsibility to render medical service to any person regardless of colour, religion, political belief, and regardless of the nature of the illness so long as it lies within the limits of expertise as a practitioner.
- Accepts the right of all patients to know the nature of any illness from which they are known to suffer, its probable cause, and the available treatments together with their likely benefits and risks.
- Allow all patients the right to choose their doctors freely.
- Recognize one's professional limitations and, when indicated, recommend to the patient that additional opinions and services be obtained.
- Keep in confidence information derived from a patient, or from a colleague regarding a patient, and divulge it only with the permission of the patient except when the law requires otherwise.
- Recommend only those diagnostic procedures which seem necessary to assist in the care of the patient and only that therapy which seems necessary for the well-being of the patient. Exchange such information with patients as is necessary for them to make informed choices where alternatives exist.
- When requested, assist any patient by supplying the information required to enable the patient to receive any benefits to which he or she may be entitled.
- Render all assistance possible to any patient where an urgent need for medical care exists.
Continuity of Care
Ensure that medical care is available to one's patients when one is personally absent, when professional responsibility for an acutely ill patient has been accepted, continue to provide services until they are no longer required, or until the services of another suitable physician have been obtained.
Personal Morality
When a personal moral judgment or religious conscience alone prevents the recommendation of some form of therapy, the patient must be so acquainted and an opportunity afforded the patient to seek alternative care.
Patients’ Rights
- Right to be treated with respect and recognition of personal dignity irrespective of cultural, Spiritual or religious beliefs.
- Right to request any information about your condition.
- Right to ask for and obtain copies of records pertaining to your medical care in the hospital. (You may need to pay copying fee, fill the approval form and get it signed by the hospital).
- Right to ask for a second opinion or consult with any doctor or doctors in our panel without prejudice and interference.
- Right to be informed about relief of pain which is an important part of care and to receive information about options to reduce, control and relive pain.
- Right to refuse treatment. (However this decision will have to be taken by you at your own risk).
- Right to complain against your treatment plan, Doctors, Hospital or any other health care personnel to the Nurse in Charge, Administrative Medical Officer (AMO) or Medical Director (MD)
- Right to ask for information and clarity doubts about the particulars of your bill. You will be provided with a statement on scheduled basis which will detail the hospital charges as they occur. These may not include the Doctor’s fees.
- Right to privacy and confidentiality.
- Right to personal safety and security.
- Right to know the identity of individuals providing service to you.
Patients’ Responsibilities
- Responsibility for providing accurate and complete information about medical problems, Past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, pain and other matters relating to their health.
- Responsibility for following the treatment plan recommended by those responsible for their care.
- Responsibility for their actions if they refuse treatment or do not follow the health care team’s instructions.
- Responsibility for seeing that their bills are paid as promptly as possible and following hospital rules and regulations.
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