Code of Professional Conduct

Doctors are bound to work professionally and becoming the leading in health care profession. Being a doctor is a highly paid profession which also demanded a high level of professionalism. This statement is seems recursive for most doctors bur this kind of lame platitude is needed to really remind us that we carry a heavy burden on our shoulder. Need I to remind:

The International Code of Medical Ethics (Excerpts)

"At a time of being admitted as a member of the Medical Profession:
I solemnly pledge myself to consecrate my life to the service of humanity:
I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity;
The health of my patient will be my first consideration;
I will maintain by all means in my power, the honour and noble traditions of the medical profession;
I will not permit considerations of religions, nationality, race, party politics or social standing to intervene between my duty and patients.
I will maintain the utmost respect for human life from its beginning even under threat, and I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity."

The Declaration of Geneva (Excerpts)

I solemnly pledge myself to consecrate my life to the service of humanity.
I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity.
The health of my patient will be my first consideration.
I will respect the secrets which are confided in me.

General Medical Council (GMC) of UK had used several terms to describe the medical professional in action and they come out with Good Medical Practice as a principles and values as guidance which is addressed to General Practioners working in UK. Since Malaysia adapted their health care system mainly based on their former colonist British system, Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) has also set 10 principles for Malaysian doctor in defining a good medical practice. According to their published article about Duties of a Doctor, Good Medical Practice are:

The Ten Golden Rules of Good Medical Practice

1. Practise with Kindness, Ethics and Honesty.
2. Upgrade Professional Knowledge and Clinical Skills.
3. Maintain good Patient Records.
4. Maintain good Communication with Patients and Relatives.
5. Maintain Doctor-Patient Confidentiality.
6. Allow Second Opinion and Referral to Colleagues.
7. Maintain good Working Relationship With Colleagues.
8. Be conscious of Cost of Healthcare.
9. Avoid Publicity, Self-promotion and Abuse of Position.
10. Be a Partner in promoting Global Health.

Code of professional conduct are embodied in various Codes of Ethics which vary in detail from country to country but all place first and foremost the health and welfare of the individual and the family under the care of a practitioner. The MMC endorses the International Code of Medical Ethics and Declaration of Geneva which embodies these ideals, thus underpinning the Code of Ethics are statutes which make it an offence punishable under the law of the country to transgress certain outer limits of the expected norms of professional conduct. These minimum standards of conduct are assessed by their peers in the profession, assembled as the MMC established under the Medical Act 1971. Breaches of these minimum standards are referred to as 'infamous conduct in a professional respect' or 'serious professional misconduct'. This Code of Professional Conduct can be downloaded from MMC websites and the pdf file contain the definition of 'infamous conduct in professional respect', form of infamous conduct and disciplinary procedure to the convicted doctor.