|
Medical Council of India
Notification - 2002
3. DUTIES OF PHYSICIAN IN
CONSULTATION
3.1 Unnecessary consultations
should be avoided:
3.1.1 However in case of serious
illness and in doubtful or difficult conditions, the physician should request
consultation, but under any circumstances such consultation should be justifiable and in the interest of the
patient only and not for any other consideration.
3.1.2 Consulting pathologists
/radiologists or asking for any other diagnostic Lab investigation should be
done judiciously and not in a routine manner.
3.2 Consultation for Patient’s
Benefit: In every consultation, the benefit to the patient is of foremost
importance. All physicians engaged in the case should be frank with the
patient and his attendants.
3.3 Punctuality in
Consultation: Utmost punctuality should be observed by a
physician in making themselves available for consultations.
3.4 Statement to Patient
after Consultation:
3.4.1 All statements to the patient
or his representatives should take place in the presence of the consulting
physicians, except as otherwise agreed. The disclosure of the opinion to the patient or his relatives or
friends shall rest with the medical attendant.
3.4.2 Differences of opinion should
not be divulged unnecessarily but when there is irreconcilable difference of
opinion the circumstances should be frankly and impartially explained to the
patient or his relatives or friends. It would be opened to them to seek further
advice as they so desire.
3.5 Treatment after Consultation:
No decision should restrain the attending physician from making such
subsequent variations in the treatment if any unexpected change occurs, but
at the next consultation, reasons for the variations should be
discussed/explained. The same privilege, with its obligations, belongs to the
consultant when sent for in an emergency during the absence of attending
physician. The attending physician may prescribe medicine at any time for the
patient, whereas the consultant may prescribe only in case of emergency or as
an expert when called for.
3.6 Patients Referred to
Specialists: When a patient is
referred to a specialist by the attending physician, a case summary of the
patient should be given to the specialist, who should communicate his opinion
in writing to the attending physician.
3.7 Fees and other charges:
3.7.1 A physician shall clearly
display his fees and other charges on the board of his chamber and/or the
hospitals he is visiting. Prescription should also make clear if the
Physician himself dispensed any medicine.
3.7.2 A physician shall write his
name and designation in full along with registration particulars in his
prescription letter head.
Note: In Government hospital where
the patient–load is heavy, the name of the prescribing
doctor must be written below his/her signature.
|
