international code of medical ethics - wma

INTERNATIONAL CODEOF

M E DIe ALE T H I C S

Adopted by the Third General Assembly of THE WORLO MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONLondon, England, October 1949

•Duties of Doctors in General

A DOCTOR MUST always maintain thehighest standards of professionalconduct •

A DOCTOR MUST practice his profes­sion uninfluenced by motives ofprofit.

THE FOLLOWING PRACTICES are deemedunethical;

a) Any self advertisement exceptsuch as is expressly authorizedby the national code of med­ical ethics.

b) Collaborate in any form of med­ical service in which the doc­tor does not have professionalindependence.

c) Receiving any money in connec­tion with services rendered toa patient other than a properprofessional fee, even withthe knowledge of the patient.

ANY ACT, OR ADVICE which could weakenphysical or mental resistanco of ahuman being may be used only on hisinterest.

A DOCTOR IS ADVISED to use great cau­tion in divulging discoveries ornew techniques or treatment.

A DOCTOR SHOULD certify or testifyonly to that which he has per­sonally verified.

Duties of Doctors to the Sick

A DOCTOR MUST ALWAYS bear in mind theObligation of preserving human life.

A DOCTOR OWES to his patient completeloyalty and all the resources of hisscience. Whenever an examination ortreatment is beyond his capacity heshould summon another doctor who hasthe necessary ability.

A DOCTOR SHALL preserve absolute secrecyon all he knows about his p&tient be­cause of the confidence entru$ted inhim.

A DOCTOR HUST give emergency care as ahumanitarian duty unless he is assuredthat others are willing and able togive such care.

Duties of Doctors to Each Other

A DOCTOR OUGHT to behave to his col­leagues as he would have them behaveto him.

A DOCTOR MUST NOT entice patients fromhis colleagues.

A DOCTOR MUST OBSERVE the principles of"The Declaration of Geneva" approvedby The World Medical Association.

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DECLARATION OF GENEVA

Adopted by the General Assembly of The World Medical Associationat Geneva, Switzerland, September, 1948

•

AT THE TIME OF BEING ADMITTED AS AMEMBER OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION:

I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE myself to consecratemy life to the service of humanity.

I WILL GIVE to my teachers the re­spect and gratitude which is theirdue;

I WILL PRACTICE my profession withconscience and dignity;

THE HEALTH OF HY PATIENT will be myfirst consideration;

I WILL RESPECT the secrets which are

confided in me;

I WILL MAINTAIN by all the means in mypower, the honor and the nobletraditions of the medical profession;

MY COLLEP.GUES will be my brothers;

I WILL NOT PERHIT considerations ofreligion, nationality, race, partypolitics or social standing to inter­vene between my duty and my patient;

I WILL MAINTAIN the utmost respect forhuman life from the time of concep­tion; even under threat, I will notuse my medical knowledge contrary tothe laws of humanity.

I MAKE THESE PROMISSES solemnly, freelyand upon my honor.

Text as correlated with other official language texts - April 1956

RESCINDED