Desirable changes

The government’s keenness to transform the M C I code of ethics into a statute with addition of a few new clauses has no doubt been received with a lukewarm response from the medical profession. Seniors and experts in the profession agree on some aspects but have called for a debate on certain provisions before they are implemented. Others are nonplussed over the need for the government to change the code of ethics to law as they rightly feel that ethics always precedes and overrides law. No doubt it should be that way. But unfortunately in the medical profession today, majority of them have not bothered about ethics and only a few of them stick to ethical norms in day to day practice. To correct the large scale aberration, the health ministry must have thus decided that only a statute would remedy the situation. How the government intends to implement and regulate it is to be seen but certain changes in the name of transparency are definitely necessary.

Ensuring safety and justice to the patient is paramount and this is where the patient always observes that there is scope for improvement. There is need for rational prescription of drugs and diagnostic procedures. This seldom happens. Other than stressing on prescribing generics drugs there is little that can be strictly implemented on this count. Regarding diagnostic tests and their necessity, the concerned doctor is expected to know better. But if this is regulated there are chances for the doctors to protest arguing that inadequate diagnosis will make him liable under medical negligence. All the same, the nexus between doctors and diagnostic centres is well known and this is sought to be curbed. Probably more than law, patient education or giving the patient a second opinion on such matters should be mandatory and the concerned doctor should then abide by it.

That physicians will henceforth be required to inform the patients of the fee and other charges in treatment procedure in advance is one that should find favour with the patients. Even if not shown on his letter head, an adequate display at place of practice along with his credentials is a good augury. Likewise, the maintenance of patient’s medical records for a minimum period and willingness to provide data to the patient on demand should become more a rule than the exception it is now. Some of the changes if implemented and followed in the right spirit will go a long way in fostering the right doctor-patient relationship that also needed a fillip anyway.

nvramamurthy@express2.indexp.co.in