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
judgement 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:
- Self advertising by physicians, unless permitted by the laws
of the country and the Code of Ethics of the National Medical
Association.
- 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 non-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. |
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.
20.05.2006
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