Decl-of-Geneva-v1994

L’ASSOCIATION MEDICALE MONDIALE. INC ASOCIACION MEDICA MUNDIAL, INC
Telephone: 504075 75
Fax: 50 40 59 37
THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. INC.
B. P. 63 • 01212 FERNEY·VOLTAIRE Cedex, France
28, avenue des Alpes· 01210 FERNEY·VOLTAIRE, France
Cable Address:
WOMEDAS, Ferney.Voltaire
September 1994
INTERNATIONAL CODE
of
MEDICAL ETHICS
17,A
Original: French
Adopted by the 3rd General Assembly of the
World Medical Association, London, England, October 1949
and amended by the 22nd World Medical Assembly
Sydney, Australia, August 1968
and the 35th World Medical Assembly
Venice, Italy, October 1983
ClIIU ~11t:l .;JWOLlI YYVIIU IYlgU. »,QI m~g » » »’1
Venice, Italy, October 1983
DUTIES OF PHYSICIANS IN GENERAL
A PHYSICIAN .SHALL always maintain the highest standards of professional
conduct.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL not permit motives of profit to influence the free and
independent exercise of professional jUdgement on behalf of patients.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL, in all types of medical practice, be dedicated to providing
competent medical service in full technical and moral independence, with
compassion and respect for human dignity, .
A PHYSICIAN SHALL deal honestly with patients and colleagues, and strive to
expose those physicians deficient in character or competence, or who engage in
fraud or deception.
The following practices are deemed to be unethical conduct:
a) Self advertising by physicians, unless permitted by the laws of the country and
the Code of Ethics of the National Medical Association,
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b) Paying or receiving any fee or any other consideration solely to procure the
referral of a patient or for prescribing or referring a patient to any source.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL respect the rights of patients, of colleagues, and of other
health professionals and shail safeguard patient confidences.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL act only in the patient’s interest when proViding medical care
which might have the effect of weakening the physical and mental condition of the
p~e~ .
A PHYSICIAN SHAll.. use great caution in divulging discoveries or new techniques
or treatment through non-professlonai channels. .
A PHYSICIAN SHALL certify only that which he has personaJly verified.
DUTIES OF PHYSICIANS TO THE SICK
A PHYSICIAN SHALL always bear in mind the obligation of preserving human life.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL owe his patients complete 10yaJty and aJl the resources of his
science. Whenever an examination or treatment is beyond the physician’s caPaCity
he should summon another physician who has the necessary ability.
A PHYSICIAN SHAll.. preserve absolute confidentiaJity on ail he knows about his
patient even after the patient has died.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL give emergency care as a humanitarian duty unless he is
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A PHYSICIAN SHALL give emergency care as a humanitarian duty unless he is
assured that others are willing and able to gtve such care.
DUTIeS OF PHYSICIANS TO EACH OTHER
A PHYSICIAN SHALL behave towards his colleagues as he would have them e
behave towards him.
A PHYSICIAN SHALL NOT entice patients from his colleagues.
A PHYSICIAN SHAll.. observe the principles of the « Declaration of Geneva »
approved by the World MedicaJ Association.
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DECLARATION OF GENEVA
Adopted by the 2nd General Assembly of the .
World Medical Association, Geneva, Switzerland, September 1948
and amended by the 22nd World Medical Assembly
Sydney, Australia, August 1968
and the 35th World Medical Assembly.
Venice, Italy. October 1983
and the 46th WMA General Assembly,
Stockholm, Sweden, September 1994
17.A
AT THE TIME OF BEING ADMITTED AS A MEMBER OF THE MEDICAL
PROFESSION:
I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE myself to consecrate my life to the service of humanity;
I WILL GIVE to my teachers the respect and gratitude which is their due;
I WILL PRACTICE my profession with conscience and dignity;
THE HEALTH OF MY PATlENT will be my first consideration;
I WILL RESPECT the secrets which are confided in me. even after the patient
has died;
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I WILL MAINTAIN by aU the means in my power, the honor and the noble
traditions of the medical profession;
MY COLLEAGUES will be my sisters and brothers;
I WILL NOT PERMIT considerations of age, disease or disability. creed, ethnic
origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexuaJ orientation, or social
standing to intervene between my duty and my patient;
, WILL MAINTAIN the utmost respect tor human life from its beginning even .
under threat and I will not use my medicaJ knowledge contrary to the laws of
humanity; .
.
I MAKE THESE PROMISES solemnly. freely and upon my honor.
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