World Medical Association International Code of Medical Ethics
DUTIES OF PHYSICIANS IN GENERAL
A PHYSICIAN SHALL always exercise his/her independent professional judgment
and maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL respect a competent patient's right to accept or refuse
treatment.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL not allow his/her judgment to be influenced by personal
profit or unfair discrimination.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL be dedicated to providing competent medical service
in full professional and moral independence, with compassion and respect
for human dignity.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL deal honestly with patients and colleagues, and report
to the appropriate authorities those physicians who practice unethically
or incompetently or who engage in fraud or deception.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL not receive any financial benefits or other incentives
solely for referring patients or prescribing specific products.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL respect the rights and preferences of patients, colleagues,
and other health professionals.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL recognize his/her important role in educating the public
but should use due caution in divulging discoveries or new techniques
or treatment through non-professional channels.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL certify only that which he/she has personally verified.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL strive to use health care resources in the best way
to benefit patients and their community.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL seek appropriate care and attention if he/she suffers
from mental or physical illness.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL respect the local and national codes of ethics.
DUTIES OF PHYSICIANS TO PATIENTS
A PHYSICIAN SHALL always bear in mind the obligation to respect human
life.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL act in the patient's best interest when providing medical
care.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL owe his/her patients complete loyalty and all the scientific
resources available to him/her. Whenever an examination or treatment is
beyond the physician's capacity, he/she should consult with or refer to
another physician who has the necessary ability.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL respect a patient's right to confidentiality. It is
ethical to disclose confidential information when the patient consents
to it or when there is a real and imminent threat of harm to the patient
or to others and this threat can be only removed by a breach of confidentiality.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL give emergency care as a humanitarian duty unless he/she
is assured that others are willing and able to give such care.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL in situations when he/she is acting for a third party,
ensure that the patient has full knowledge of that situation.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL not enter into a sexual relationship with his/her current
patient or into any other abusive or exploitative relationship.
DUTIES OF PHYSICIANS TO COLLEAGUES
A PHYSICIAN SHALL behave towards colleagues as he/she would have them
behave towards him/her.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL NOT undermine the patient-physician relationship of
colleagues in order to attract patients.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL when medically necessary, communicate with colleagues
who are involved in the care of the same patient. This communication should
respect patient confidentiality and be confined to necessary information.
DECLARATION OF GENEVA
Adopted by the 2nd General Assembly of the World Medical Association,
Geneva, Switzerland, September 1948
and amended by the 22nd World Medical Assembly, Sydney, Australia, August
1968
and the 35th World Medical Assembly, Venice, Italy, October 1983
and the 46th WMA General Assembly, Stockholm, Sweden, September 1994
and editorially revised at the 170th Council Session, Divonne-les-Bains,
France, May 2005 and
the 173rd Council Session, Divonne-les-Bains, France, May 2006
AT THE TIME OF BEING ADMITTED AS A MEMBER OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION:
I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE to consecrate my life to the service of humanity;
I WILL GIVE to my teachers the respect and gratitude that is their due;
I WILL PRACTISE my profession with conscience and dignity;
THE HEALTH OF MY PATIENT will be my first consideration;
I WILL RESPECT the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died;
I WILL MAINTAIN by all the means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions of the medical profession;
MY COLLEAGUES will be my sisters and brothers;
I WILL NOT PERMIT considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient;
I WILL MAINTAIN the utmost respect for human life;
I WILL NOT USE my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat;
I MAKE THESE PROMISES solemnly, freely and upon my honour.
14.10.2006
