The Code of Conduct for Physicians

Codes of conduct for physicians are almost as old as the profession itself. With the advancement of modern medical technology, however, ethical issues are becoming increasingly complex. Science has given doctors the possibility to do so many things without necessarily equipping them with the moral guidance to make appropriate choices with complex subjects such as abortion and cloning.

History

• One of the earliest known codes of conduct for physicians is the Hippocratic Oath, which dates to the fourth century B.C. in Greece. The famous phrase "do no harm" comes from this oath, which was shaped by ancient influences, invoking the names of Greek gods and forbidding abortion.

  The American Medical Association (AMA) released the first version of its code of ethics in 1847.

Function

• The function of a code of conduct is to guide physicians when they must make morally charged decisions in health care. It is meant to help physicians answer questions such as: "Who is treated first?" and "What kinds of treatments are culturally appropriate?" The code of conduct also acts as a guarantee for the patient that the doctor will not abuse the trust placed in him.

Expert Insight

• The need for a comprehensive code of conduct is especially acute in the emerging area of bioethics, with implications for areas as diverse as in-vitro fertilization, cloning and defining the moment of death for patients on artificial life support. In 2005, Professor Robert Baker of Union University published a hotly debated article entitled "A Draft Model Aggregated Code of Ethics for Bioethicists" in the "American Journal of Bioethics." It emphasized integrity, professionalism and transparency as key values.

Considerations

• As a patient, you should be aware of your doctor's ethical obligations. The AMA's code of ethics--a weighty tome of 504 pages--addresses issues of social policy, inter-professional and hospital relations, confidentiality and physician records, fees, and of course, the physician-patient relationship.

Warning

• Physician breaches of codes of conduct, large and small, are not uncommon, ranging from inappropriate acceptance of gifts from medical suppliers to the abuse of patients. The AMA Code of Medical Ethics suggests several options for reporting violations, including using a health insurance provider's grievance procedure and that of your state licensing board, which may elect to revoke the doctor's license to practice medicine.