| Section
1: |
The
physician shall keep in confidence whatever she/he may learn
about a patient in the discharge of professional duties. The
physician shall divulge information only when required by law
or when authorized by the patient. |
| Section
2: |
The
physician shall give a candid account of the patient's condition
to the patient or to those responsible for the patient's care. |
| Section
3: |
A
physician-patient relationship must be founded on mutual trust,
cooperation, and respect. The patient, therefore, must have complete
freedom to choose her/his physician. The physician must have
complete freedom to choose patients whom she/he will serve. However,
the physician should not refuse to accept patients because of
the patient's race, creed, color, sex, national origin or handicap.
In emergencies, a physician should make her/his services available. |
| Section
4: |
A
physician is never justified in abandoning a patient. The physician
shall give due notice to a patient or to those responsible for
the patient's care when she/he withdraws from the case so that
another physician may be engaged. |
| Section
5: |
A
physician shall practice in accordance with the body of systematized
and scientific knowledge related to the healing arts. A physician
shall maintain competence in such systematized and scientific
knowledge through study and clinical applications. |
| Section
6: |
The
osteopathic medical profession has an obligation to society to
maintain its high standards and, therefore, to continuously regulate
itself. A substantial part of such regulation is due to the efforts
and influence of the recognized local, state and national associations
representing the osteopathic medical profession. A physician
should maintain membership in and actively support such associations
and abide by their rules and regulations. |
| Section
7: |
Under
the law a physician may advertise, but no physician shall advertise
or solicit patients directly or indirectly through the use of
matters or activities, which are false or misleading. |
| Section
8: |
A
physician shall not hold forth or indicate possession of any
degree recognized as the basis for licensure to practice the
healing arts unless he is actually licensed on the basis of that
degree in the state in which she/he practices. A physician shall
designate her/his osteopathic school of practice in all professional
uses of her/his name. Indications of specialty practice, membership
in professional societies, and related matters shall be governed
by rules promulgated by the American Osteopathic Association. |
| Section
9: |
A
physician should not hesitate to seek consultation whenever she/he
believes it advisable for the care of the patient. |
| Section
10: |
In
any dispute between or among physicians involving ethical or
organizational matters, the matter in controversy should first
be referred to the appropriate arbitrating bodies of the profession. |
| Section
11: |
In
any dispute between or among physicians regarding the diagnosis
and treatment of a patient, the attending physician has the responsibility
for final decisions, consistent with any applicable osteopathic
hospital rules or regulations. |
| Section
12: |
Any
fee charged by a physician shall compensate the physician for
services actually rendered. There shall be no division of professional
fees for referrals of patients. |
| Section
13: |
A
physician shall respect the law. When necessary a physician shall
attempt to help to formulate the law by all proper means in order
to improve patient care and public health. |
| Section
14: |
In
addition to adhering to the foregoing ethical standards, a physician
shall recognize a responsibility to participate in community
activities and services. |
| Section
15: |
It
is considered sexual misconduct for a physician to have sexual
contact with any current patient whom the physician has interviewed
and/or upon whom a medical or surgical procedure has been performed. |
| Section
16: |
Sexual
harassment by a physician is considered unethical. Sexual harassment
is defined as physical or verbal intimation of a sexual nature
involving a colleague or subordinate in the workplace or academic
setting, when such conduct creates an unreasonable, intimidating,
hostile or offensive workplace or academic setting. |
| Section
17: |
The
use of a product or service based solely on the receipt of a
gift shall be deemed unethical. |
