|
Code of
Medical Ethics
Ethics is all
about ideal human conduct and an understanding of the moral values
in which actions are idea as right or wrong; and persons and
institutions are judged as praiseworthy or blameworthy
All medical decisions involve on ethical component in addition to
clinical or scientific component Major ethical issues have arisen
from increased respect for patients rights finacial restratoins and
have technologies.
Behind medical ethics, must stand such cardinal virtues as wisdom,
justice, temperance, courage and benevolence
Patients rights
The rights of the patient covers a broad range of moral and legal
issues. The following are generally recognized the world over as the
rights of the patient.
(i) Right to be treated.
(ii) Right to privacy
(iii) Right to know about the nature of illness and treatment
required
(iv) The physician to keep information contained in patient’s record
confidential unless its release is required by law,
(v) Right to have clear idea about medical bills he or she has to
pay
(vi) Right to have access to is or her medical records
Code of medical ethics
Almost up to the present century physicians were trained under on
apprenticeship system, and each apprentice was required to take Oath
of Hippocrated. This code of ethics forms the basis of the
declaration of Geneva (1948) and the international code of medical
ethics (1949).
International Code of Medical Ethics
The ‘International Code of Medical Ethics’, as adopted by the World
Medical Association in London, in October 1949 describes.
a) Duties of Doctors to the sick
A doctor must always maintain the highest standards of professional
conduct. A doctor must not allow himself to be influenced merely by
motives of profit
b) Duties of Doctors to the sick
A doctor must always bear in mind the importance of preserving human
life from the time of conception until death. A doctor owes to his
patient absolute secrecy, complete loyalty and all the resources of
his science.
c) Duties of Doctors to each other
A doctor ought to behave to his colleagues, as he would have them
behave to him
The Oath of Hippocrates
I swear by Apollo the physician, and Assculoplus, and Health, and
All, heal, and all the gods and goddesses.
That, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this oath
and this stipulation-to reckon him who thought me this art equally
dear to me as my parents, to shore my substance with him, and
relieve his necessities if required;
To look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers,
and to teach them Art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee
or stipulation:
And that by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I
will import a knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and those of my
teachers, and to discipline bound by a stipulation and oath
according to the law of medicine, but to none others.
|
