PANAJI
A new regime, replacing the 2002 "Code of Ethics" gives professional medical doctors the option to refuse taking a patient under their care in cases where either they or family members misbehave or display aggression.
The option, however will not be available to doctors in emergencies, the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) new notification which lays down procedure for doctors to report such instances of misbehaviour with them and exercise the option to refuse to treat the patient, says.
It also states that if a registered medical professional doctor is assaulted or abused, he can refuse to treat the patient.
The new regime introduced by NMC has also barred doctors and their family members from accepting incentives or gratification in any form from pharma companies.
Registered medical professional doctors and their families should refrain from accepting any gifts, travel facilities, consultancy fees or other perks from any pharmaceutical company, the new NMC notification said.
Another missive to doctors in this new NMC regime is the prerequisite to inform the patient or his family the quantum of fees which will be charged and the cost of treatment.
The family has to be informed by the doctors about their charges before treating the patients and if they are to be operated, the cost of the medical procedure involved.
This regime will supercede the 'code of ethics' which was introduced back in 2002 by the NMC's predecessor The Medical Board of India.
In cases where the doctor has been intimidated, the case has to be reported to the NMC which will then assign the case to another doctor. It is the first time that doctors are being officially given the option to refuse treatment to patients who misbehave.
The option is not available in cases of emergency and the NMC ethics regime also puts the onus on doctors to communicate every detail of the patient's treatment to family members.
