THE INTERNATIONAL CODE OF MEDICAL ETHICS

DUTIES OF DOCTORS IN GENERAL

A DOCTOR SHALL always maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.

A DOCTOR SHALL not permit motives of profit to influence the free and independent exercise of professional judgement on behalf of patients.

A DOCTOR SHALL, in all types of medical practice, be dedicated to providing competent medical service in full technical and moral independence, with compassion and respect for human dignity.

A DOCTOR SHALL deal honestly with patients and colleagues, and strive to expose those doctors deficient in character or competence, or who engage in fraud or deception.

The following practices are deemed to be unethical conduct :-

(a)	Self-advertising by doctors, unless permitted by the laws of the country and the Code of Ethics of the National Medical Association.
(b)	Paying or receiving any fee or any other consideration solely to procure the referral of a patient or for prescribing or referring a patient to any source.

A DOCTOR SHALL respect the rights of patients, of colleagues, and of other health professionals, and shall safeguard patient confidences.

A DOCTOR SHALL act only in the patient's interest when providing medical care which might have the effect of weakening the physical and mental condition of the patient.

A DOCTOR SHALL use great caution in divulging discoveries of new techniques or treatment through non-professional channels.

A DOCTOR SHALL certify only that which he has personally verified.


DUTIES OF DOCTORS TO THE SICK

A DOCTOR SHALL always bear in mind the obligation of preserving human life. 

A DOCTOR SHALL owe his patients complete loyalty and all the resources of his science. Whenever an examination or treatment is beyond the doctor's capacity he should summon another doctor who has the necessary ability.

A DOCTOR SHALL preserve absolute confidentiality except where others are endangered on all he knows about his patient even after the patient has died.

A DOCTOR SHALL give emergency care as a humanitarian duty unless he is assured that others are willing and able to give such care.


DUTIES OF DOCTORS TO EACH OTHER

A DOCTOR SHALL behave towards his colleagues as he would have them behave towards him.

A DOCTOR SHALL NOT entice patients from his colleagues.

Adopted by the 3rd General Assembly of the World Medical Association, London, England, October 1949, amended by the 22nd World Medical Assembly, Sydney, Australia, August 1968, and the 35th World Medical Assembly, Venice, Italy, October 1983.