International Code of Medical Ethics
THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
September 1994 Original: French
INTERNATIONAL CODE of MEDICAL ETHICS
Adopted by the 3rd General Assembly of the World Medical Association,
London, England, October 1949 and amended by the 22nd World Medical Assembly
Sydney, Australia, August 1968 and the 35th World Medical Assembly Venice,
Italy, October 1983
DUTIES OF PHYSICIANS IN GENERAL
A PHYSICIAN SHALL always maintain the highest standards of professional
conduct.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL not permit motives of profit to influence the free and
independent exercise of professional judgment on behalf of patients.
A PHYSICIAN 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 PHYSICIAN SHALL deal honestly with patients and colleagues, and strive
to expose those physicians 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 physicians, 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 PHYSICIAN SHALL respect the rights of patients, of colleagues, and
of other health professionals and shall safeguard patient confidences.
A PHYSICIAN 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 PHYSICIAN SHALL use great caution in divulging discoveries or new techniques
or treatment through an on- professional channels.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL certify only that which he has personally verified.
DUTIES OF PHYSICIANS TO THE SICK
A PHYSICIAN SHALL always bear in mind the obligation of preserving
human life.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL owe his patients complete loyalty and all the resources
of his science. Whenever an examination or treatment is beyond the physician's
capacity he should summon another physician who has the necessary ability.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL preserve absolute confidentiality on all he knows about
his patient even after the patient has died.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL give emergency care as a humanitarian duty unless he
is assured that others are willing and able to give such care.
DUTIES OF PHYSICIANS TO EACH OTHER
A PHYSICIAN SHALL behave towards his colleagues as he would have them
behave towards him.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL NOT entice patients from his colleagues.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL observe the principles of the "Declaration of Geneva"
approved by the World Medical Association.
