Physician Duties and Responsibilities Quiz

Physician Duties and Responsibilities

• Professional Conduct: Physicians must uphold professional dignity and serve humanity. Only qualified practitioners can practice modern medicine.

• Maintaining Medical Records: Records of indoor patients must be kept for three years. Records must be released within 72 hours upon request. A register of medical certificates is required.

• Quality Assurance: Physicians must prioritize patient care to the highest quality. Unethical actions by physicians should be reported to proper authorities. Personal financial interests should not conflict with patient care.

• Legal Compliance: Physicians must abide by national laws governing medical practice.

Duties to Patients

• Responding to Needs: Physicians must promptly attend to patients. If a condition is outside a physician's expertise, they can refuse treatment and refer.

• Patient Care Standards: Patience and sensitivity are crucial aspects of patient care. Patient confidentiality must be maintained unless required by law or to protect public health.

• Prognosis: Physicians must accurately assess and communicate a patient's condition, avoiding exaggeration or minimization.

• Continuity of Care: A physician, once involved in a patient's case, cannot neglect it. Emergency requests must be addressed.

Consultation Duties

• Consultation Practices: Physicians must avoid unnecessary consultations or investigations. Consultations should always be in the best interest of the patient. Promptness, clarity in communication, and follow-up after consultation are critical.

• Referral Process: Patients requiring specialized care should be referred appropriately. Fees and charges related to consultation should be clearly communicated.

Physician Responsibilities to Each Other

• Gratuitous Assistance: Physicians should assist each other and their immediate families, including offering gratuitous service when possible.

• Consultations: Respect should be maintained during consultations. One physician should avoid taking over another physician's patient.

• Substitutions: Substitute physicians can be approved only when qualified to handle added responsibility. Comments on another physician's diagnosis or treatment should be avoided.

Responsibilities to the Public & Paramedical Staff

• Citizenship: Physicians should cooperate with authorities on public health issues.

• Public Health Education: Physicians have a duty to educate the public on disease prevention and quarantine regulations.

• Collaboration: Physicians should promote and value the roles of nurses and pharmacists while collaborating effectively.

Unethical Conduct

• Advertising: Self-promotion through advertisements, publicity, or self-portraits on letterheads is considered unethical.

• Professional Fees: There must be clear communication of a physician's charges.

• Patents: Physicians may patent items, procedures, or methods, but such advantages must eventually benefit all in society.

• Gifts & Commissions: Acceptance or offering of gifts for referrals is strictly prohibited.

• Secret Remedies: Secret, unverified remedies should not be prescribed.

• Rights & Euthanasia: Violating human rights or participating in euthanasia are unethical.

Misconduct and Disciplinary Actions

• Violation Processes: Complaints against physicians are initially heard by medical councils.

• Fair Hearing: The physician has a chance to be heard either in person or through representation before any action is taken.

• Timelines: Decisions must be made within a reasonable timeframe (six months).

• Council Decisions: Councils will determine appropriate actions, based on the severity of the misconduct.

• Appeals: Appeals can be filed before a higher body, such as the Medical Council of India.

• Punishments: Punishments can range from warnings, reprimands, to temporary or permanent suspension of medical licenses.

Test your knowledge on the essential duties and responsibilities of physicians. This quiz covers topics such as professional conduct, quality assurance, and legal compliance. Assess your understanding of the important standards that guide medical practice and patient care.