Central Council of Homeopathy, India
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Homoeopathic Practitioners
Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Code of Ethics
Regulations
In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (l) of section 33
read with section 24 of the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973
(59 of 1973), the Central Council of Homoeopathy, with the previous
sanction of the Central Government, hereby makes the following regulations,
namely :-
1. These regulations may be called the Homoeopathic Practitioners
(Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Code of Ethics) Regulations,
1982.
I. Declaration and Oath
II. General Principles
III. Duties Of Homoeopathic Practitioners To Their Patients
IV. Duties Of Practitioners To The Profession
V. Duties Of Practitioners In Consultation
VI. Duties Of Practitioners To The Public
VII. Professional Misconduct
DECLARATION AND OATH
2. (a) At the time of registration, each applicant shall
submit the following declaration and oath read and signed by him
to the Registrar concerned attested by the Registrar himself or
by a registered practitioner of Homoeopathy
(1) I solemnly pledge myself to consecrate my life to the service
of humanity
(2) Even under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary
to the laws of humanity
(3) I will maintain the utmost respect for human life.
(4) I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality,
race, political beliefs or social standing to intervene between
my duty and my patient.
(5) I will practise my profession with conscience and dignity
in accordance with the principles of Homoeopathy and/or in accordance
with the principles of biochemic system of medicine (tissue remedies).
(6) The health of my patient shall be my first consideration.
(7) I will respect the secrets which are confided to me.
(8) I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude which
is their due.
(9) I will maintain by all means in my power the honour and noble
traditions of medical profession.
(10) My colleagues will be my brothers and sisters.
(11) I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honour.
(b) Hahnemannian Oath
"On my honour I swear that I shall practise the teachings
of Homoeopathy, perform my duty, render justice to my patients
and help the sick whosoever comes to me for treatment. May the
teachings of master Hahnemann inspire me and may I have the strength
for fulfillment of my mission."
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
3. Character of Medical Practitioner
The primary object of the medical profession is to render service
to humanity with full respect for the dignity of man; financial
reward is a subordinate consideration. Whosoever chooses this
profession assumes the obligation to conduct himself in accordance
with its ideals. A practitioner of Homoeopathy shall be an upright
man, instructed in the art of healing. He shall keep himself pure
in character and be diligent in caring for the sick. He shall
be modest, sober, patient and prompt and do his duty without anxiety,
and shall be pious and conduct himself with propriety in his profession
and in all the actions of his life.
4. Standards of Character and Morals
The medical profession expects from its members the highest level
of character and morals, and every practitioner of Homoeopathy
owes to the profession and to the public alike a duty to attain
such a level. It shall be incumbent on a practitioner of Homoeopathy
to be temperate in all matters, for the practice of medicine requires
unremitting exercise of a clear and vigorous mind.
5. Practitioner's Responsibility
A practitioner of Homoeopathy shall merit the confidence of patients
entrusted to his care, rendering to each full measure of service
and devotion. The honoured ideals of the medical profession imply
that the responsibilities of a practitioner of Homoeopathy extend
not only to individuals but also to the entire society.
6. Advertising
(1) Solicitation of patients directly or indirectly by a practitioner
of Homoeopathy either personally or by advertisement in the newspapers,
by placards or by the distributiop of circular cards or handbills
is unethical. A practitioner of Homoeopathy shall not make use
of, or permit others to make use of, him or his name as a subject
of any form or manner of advertising or publicity through lay
channels which shall be of such a character as to invite attention
to him or to his professional position or skill or as would ordinarily
result in his self-aggrandisement provided that a practitioner
of Homoeopathy is permitted formal announcement in press about
the following matters, namely :
(i) the starting of his practice;
(ii) change of the type of practice;
(iii) change of address;
(iv) temporary absence from duty;
(v) resumption of practice;
(vi) succeeding to another's practice.
(2) He shall further not advertise himself directly or indirectly
through price lists or publicity materials of manufacturing firms
or traders with whom he may be connected in any capacity, nor
shall he publish cases, operations or letters of thanks from patients
in non-professional newspapers or journals prov ded it shall be
permissible for him to publish his name in connection with a prospectus
or a director's or a technical expert's report.
7. Payment of Professional Service
(1) A practitioner of Homoeopathy engaged in the practice of
medicine shall limit the sources of his income to fees received
from professional activities for services rendered to the patient.
Remuneration received for such services shall be in the form and
amount specifically announced to the patient at the time the service
is rendered; in all other cases he shall deem it a point of honour
to adhere to the compensation for professional services prevailing
in the community in which he practices.
(2) Fees are reducible at the discretion of the practitioner
of Homoeopathy and he shall always recognise poverty as presenting
valid claims for gratuitous services.
(3) It shall be unethical to enter into a contract of "no
cure no payment"
8. Rebates and Commission
A practitioner of Homoeopathy shall not give, solicit or receive,
nor shall he offer to give, solicit or receive, any gift, gratuity,
commission or bonus in consideration for the referring, recommending
or procuring of any patient for medical, surgical or other treatment
nor shall he receive any commission or other benefit from a professional
colleague, trader of appliances, dentist or an occulist.
DUTIES OF HOMOEOPATHIC PRACTITIONERS
TO THEIR PATIENTS
9. Obligations to the Sick
Though a practitioner of Homoeopathy is not bound to treat each
and every one asking for his services except in emergencies, he
shall, for the sake of humanity and the noble traditions of the
profession, not only be ever ready to respond to the calls of
the sick and the injured, but shall be mindful of the high character
of his mission and the responsibility he incurs in the discharge
of his professional duties.
10. Practitioner's Responsibility
(1) A practitioner of Homoeopathy is free to choose whom he
will serve provided be shall respond to any request for his assistance
in an emergency or whenever temperate public opinion expects the
service.
(2) Once having undertaken a case, a practitioner of Homoeopathy
shall not neglect the patient nor shall he withdraw from the case
without giving notice to the patient, his relatives or his responsible
friends sufficiently long in advance of his withdrawal to allow
them time to secure another practitioner.
11. Termination of Service
(a) The following shall be valid reasons for his withdrawal
:
(1) where he finds another practitioner in attendance;
(2) where remedies other than those prescribed by him are
being used;
(3) where his remedies and instructions are refused;
(4) where he is convinced that illness is an imposture and
that he is being made a party to a false pretence;
(5) where the patient persists in the use of opium, alcohol,
chloral or similar intoxicating drugs against medical advice;
(6) where complete information concerning the facts and circumstances
of the case are not supplied by the patient or his relatives.
(b) The discovery that the malady is incurable is no excuse
to discontinue attendance so long as the patient desired his services.
12. Acts of Negligence
(1) No practitioner of Homoeopathy shall wilfully commit an
act of negligence that may deprive his patient of necessary medical
care.
(2) A practitioner of Homoeopathy is expected to render that
diligence and skill in services as would be expected of another
pracitioner of Homoeopathy with similar qualifications, experience
and attainments.
(3) His acts of commission or omission shall not be judged by
any non-homoeopathic standards of professional service expected
of him but by those standards as are expected from a Homoeopath
of his training, standing and experience.
(4) A practitioner of Homoeopathy shall use any drug prepared
according to Homoeopathic principles and adopt other necessary
measures as required.
13. Behaviour towards Patients
The demeanour of a practitioner of Homoeopathy towards his patients
shall always be courteous, sympathetic, friendly and helpful.
Every patient shall be treated with attention and consideration.
14. Visits
A practitioner of Homoeopathy shall endeavour to add to the comfort
of the sick by making his visits at the hour indicated to the
patients.
15. Prognosis
(1) The practitioner of Homoeopathy shall neither exaggerate
nor minimize the gravity of a patient's condition. He shall ensure
that the patient, his relatives or responsible friends have such
knowledge of the patient's condition as will serve the best interest
of the patient and his family.
(2) In cases of dangerous manifestations, he shall not fail
to give timely notice to the family or friends of the patient
and also to the patient when necessary.
16. Patience, Delicacy & Secrecy
Patience and delicacy shall characterize the attitude of a practitioner
of Homoeopathy. Confidences concerning individual or domestic
life entrusted by patients to a practitioner and defects in the
disposition or character of patients observed during the medical
attendance shall not be revealed by him, to anyone unless their
revelation is required by the laws of the State.
DUTIES OF PRACTITIONERS TO THE PROFESSION
17. Upholding honour of Profession
A practitioner of Homoeopathy shall, at all times, uphold the
dignity and honour of this profession.
18. Membership of Medical Society
For the advancement of his profession a practitioner of Hornoeopathy
may affiliate himself with Medical Societies and contribute his
time, energy and means to their progress so that they may better
represent and promote the ideals of the profession.
19. Exposure of Unethical Conduct
A practitioner of Homoeopathy shall expose, without fear or favour,
the incompetent, corrupt, dishonest or unethical conduct on the
part of any member of the profession.
20. Association with Unregistered Persons
A practitioner of Homoeopathy shall not associate himself professionally
with any body or society of unregistered practitioners of Homoeopathy.
21. Appointment of Substitutes
Whenever a practitioner of Homoeopathy requests another to attend
to his patients during his temporary absence from practice, professional
courtesy requires the acceptance of such appointment by the latter,
if it is consistent with his other duties. 'The practitioner of
Homoeopathy acting under such an appointment shall give the utmost
consideration to the interests and reputation of the absent practitioner.
He shall not charge either the patient or the absent practitioner
of Homoeopathy for his services, except in the case of a special
arrangement between them. All such patients shall be restored
to the care of the absent practitioner of Homoeopathy upon his
return.
22. Charges for service to Practitioners of Homoeopathy
(1) There is no rule that a practitioner of Homoeopathy shall
not charge another practitioner of Homoeopathy for his services,
but a practitioner of Homoeopathy shall consider it a pleasure
and privilege to render gratuitous service to his professional
brother and his dependents, if they are in his vicinity or to
a medical student.
(2) There is no rule that a practitioner of Homoeopathy shall
not charge another practitioner of Homoeopathy for his services,
but a practitioner of Homoeopathy shall consider it a pleasure
and privilege to render gratuitous service to his professional
brother and his dependents, if they are in his vicinity or to
a medical student.
23.
(1) The practitioner of Homoeopathy called in an emergency to
visit a patient under the care of another practitioner of Homoeopathy
shall, when the emergency is over, retire in favour of the latter;
but he shall be entitled to charge the patient for his services.
(2) When a practitioner of Homoeopathy is consulted at his own
residence, it is not necessary for him to enquire of the patient
if he is under the care of another practitioner of Homoeopathy.
(3) When a consulting practitioner of Homoeopathy sees a patient
at the request of another practitioner of Homoeopathy, it shall
be his duty to write a letter stating his opinion of the case
with the mode of treatment he thinks is required to be adopted.
24. Engagement for an Obstetrics Case
(1) If a practitioner of Homoeopathy is engaged to attend to
a woman during her confinement, he shall do so. Refusal to do
so on an excuse of any other engagement shall not be considered
ethical except when he is already engaged on a similar or other
serious case.
(2) When a practitioner of Homoeopathy who has been engaged
to attend on an obstetrics case is absent and another is sent
for and delivery is accomplished, the acting practitioner of Homoeopathy
shall be entitled to his professional fees; provided he shall
secure the patient's consent to withdraw on the arrival of the
practitioner of Homoeopathy already engaged.
25.
When it becomes the duty of a practitioner of Homoeopathy occupying
an official position to see and report upon an illness or injury,
he shall communicate to the practitioner of Homoeopathy in attendance
so as to give him an option of being present. The medical officer
shall avoid remarks upon the diagnosis or the treatment that has
been adopted.
DUTIES OF PRACTITIONERS IN CONSULTATION
26. Consultation shall be Encouraged
In cases of serious illness, especially in doubtful or difficult
conditions the practitioner of Homoeopathy shall request consultation.
He shall also do so in perplexing illness, in therapeutic abortions,
in the treatment of a woman who had procured criminal abortion,
in suspected cases of poisoning, or when desired by the patient
or his representative.
27. Punctuality in Consultation
Utmost punctuality shall be observed by a practitioner of Homoepathy
in meeting for consultation. If the consultant practitioner of
Homoeopathy does not arrive within a reasonable time such as a
quarter of an hour after the appointed time, the first practitioner
of Homoeopathy shall be at liberty to see the patient alone provided
he shall leave his conclusion in writing in a closed envelope.
28. Patient referred to another Physician
When a patient is referred to another practitioner of Homoeopathy
by the attending practitioner of Homoeopathy, a statement of the
case shall be given to the latter practitioner of Homoeopathy.
The latter practitioner of Homoeopathy shall communicate his opinion
in writing in a closed cover direct to the attending practitioner
of Homoeopathy.
29. Consultation for Patient's Benefit
In every consultation, the benefit to the patient shall be of
first importance. All practitioners of Homoeopathy interested
in the case shall be candid with a member of the patient's family
or responsible friends.
30. Conduct in Consultation
(1) In consultations, there shall be no place for insincerity,
rivalry or envy. All due respect shall be shown to the practitioner
of Homoeopathy in charge of case and no statement or remarks shall
be made which would impair the confidence reposed in him by the
patient. For this purpose, no discussion shall be carried on in
the presence of the patient or his representatives.
(2) All statements of the case to the patient or his representatives
shall take place in the presence of all the practitioners consulting,
except as otherwise agreed; the announcement of the opinion to
the patient or his relations or friends shall rest with the attending
practitioner of Homoeopathy.
(3) Differences of opinion shall not be divulged unnecessarily;
provided when there is an irreconcilable difference of opinion,
the circumstances shall be frankly and impartially explained to
the patient or his friends.
(4) It shall be open to them to seek further advice if they
so desire.
31. Cessation of Consultation
Attendance of the consulting practitioner of Homoeopathy shall
cease when the consultation is concluded, unless another appointment
is arranged by the attending practitioner of Homoeopathy.
32. Treatment after Consultation
(1) No decision shall restrain the attending practitioner of
Homoeopathy from making such subsequent variations in the treatment
as any unexpected change may require; provided at the next consultation,
reasons for variation are stated.
(2) The same privilege, with its obligations, belongs to the
consultant when sent for in an emergency during the absence of
the attending practitioner of Homoeopathy. The attending practitioner
of Homoeopathy may prescribe at any time for the patient, but
the consultant, only in case of emergency.
33. Consultant not to take Charge of the Case
(1) When a practitioner of Romoeopathy has been called as a
Consultant 10 none but the rarest and most exceptional circumstances
shall justify the consultant taking charge of the case.
(2) He must not do so merely on the solicitation of the patient
or his friends.
34. Bar against Consulting Non-registered Practitioner
No practitioner of Homeopathy shall have consultation with any
practitioner of Homoeopathy who is not registered.
DUTIES OF PRACTITIONERS TO THE PUBLIC
35. Practitioners as Citizens
Practitioners of Homoeopathy as good citizens, possessed of special
training, shall advise concerning the health of the community
wherein they dwell. They shall play their part in enforcing the
laws of the community and in sustaining the institutions that
advance the interest of humanity. They shall cooperate with the
authorities in the observance and enforcement of sanitary laws
and regulations and shall observe the provisions of all laws relating
to Drugs, Poisons and Pharmacy made for the protection and promotion
of public health.
36. Public Health
Practitioners of Homoeopathy engaged in public health work, shall
enlighten the public concerning quarantine regulations and measures
for the prevention of epidemic and communicable diseases. At all
times the practitioners shall notify the constituted public health
authorities of every case of communicable disease under their
care, in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations of the
health authorities. When an epidemic prevails, the practitioner
of Homoeopathy shall continue his labours without regard to the
risk to his own health.
37. Dispensing
A practitioner of Homoeopathy has a right to prepare and dispense
his own prescription.
PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT
35. The following actions shall constitute professional
misconduct
(1) Committing adultery or improper conduct with a patient,
or maintaining an improper association with a patient;
(2) Conviction by a Court of Law for offences involving moral
turpitude;
(3) Signing of or giving by any practitioner of Homoeopathy under
his name and authority any certificate, report or document of
kindred character which is untrue, misleading or improper;
(4) Contravention of the provisions of laws relating to Drugs
and regulations made thereunder;
(5) Selling a drug or poison regulated by law to the public or
his patients save as provided by that law.
(6) Performing or enabling an unqualified person to perform an
abortion or any illegal operation for which there is no medical,
surgical or psychological indication;
(7) Issue of certificates in Homoeopathy to unqualified or non-medical
persons provided that this shall not apply so as to restrict the
proper training and instruction of legitimate employees of doctors,
midwives, dispensers, surgi-cal attendants or skilled mechanical
and technical assistants under the personal supervision of practitioners
of Homoeopathy.
(8) Affixing a signboard on a chemist's shop or in places where
the practitioner of Homoeopathy does not reside or work;
(9) Disclosing the secrets of a patient that have been learnt
in the exercise of profession, except in a Court of law under
orders of the presiding judge.
(10) Publishing photographs or case-reports of patients in any
medical or other journal in a manner by which their identity could
be made out without their permission, provided that if the identity
of patients is not disclosed, their consent is not necessary;
(11) Public exhibition of the scale of fees provided that the
same may be displayed in the physician's consulting or waiting
room;
(12) Using of touts or agents for procuring patients;
(13) Claiming to be a specialist without having put on substantial
number of years of study and experience in the subject concerned
or without possessing a special qualification in the branch concerned.
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