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The People's Medical Society in the USA encourages
doctors to display the following code of practice
in their clinics. This code comprises are excellent
guidelines for all doctors to follow, and you might
consider sharing it with your doctor!
The code runs as follows:
I will assist you in finding information resources,
support groups and health care providers to help
you maintain and improve your health. When you seek
care for specific problems, I will abide by the
following code of practice:
- I will post or provide a printed schedule
of my fees for office visits, procedures, testing
and surgery, and provide itemized bills.
- I will provide certain hours each week when
I will be available for non-emergency telephone
consultations.
- I will schedule appointments to allow the
necessary time to see you with minimal waiting.
I will promptly return your phone calls and
inform you if your test results.
- I will allow and encourage you to bring a
friend or relative into the examining room with
you.
- I will facilitate your getting your medical
and hospital records, and will provide you with
copies of your test results.
- I will let you know your prognosis, including
whether your condition is terminal or will cause
disability or pain, and will explain why I believe
further diagnostic activity or treatment is
necessary.
- I will discuss diagnostic, treatment and medication
options for your particular problem with you
(including the option of no treatment) and describe
in understandable terms the risk of each alternative,
the chances of success, the possibility of pain,
the effect on your functioning, the number of
visits each would entail and the cost of each
alternative.
- I will describe my qualifications to perform
the proposed diagnostic measures or treatments.
- I will let you know of organizations, support
groups, and medical and lay publications that
can assist you in understanding, monitoring
and treating your problem.
- I will not proceed until you are satisfied
that you understand the benefits and risks of
each alternative and I have your agreement on
a particular course of action.
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