The document “Good medical practice: a code of conduct for doctors in Australia” is a comprehensive guide outlining the principles and standards expected of doctors practicing in Australia. The code is essential for both medical professionals and the public, providing a clear framework for ethical and professional conduct in various aspects of medical practice. Key areas covered include:
- About the Code: It explains the purpose, application, and scope of the code, emphasizing its role in setting standards for medical practice in Australia.
- Professionalism: This section focuses on the professional values and qualities expected of doctors, such as duty of care, ethical practice, and trustworthiness.
- Providing Good Care: It details the components of good patient care, including patient assessment, management plans, and the importance of patient-centered care.
- Working with Patients: This part addresses the doctor-patient relationship, confidentiality, informed consent, and special considerations for different patient groups, including children and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Respectful Culture: Emphasizes respect for colleagues and other healthcare professionals, teamwork, and addresses discrimination, bullying, and harassment.
- Working with Healthcare Professionals: Covers aspects of coordinating care, delegation, referral, and handover.
- Working within the Healthcare System: Discusses the wise use of healthcare resources, health advocacy, and public health responsibilities.
- Patient Safety and Minimising Risk: Focuses on risk management, doctor’s performance, and maintaining patient safety.
- Maintaining Professional Performance: Outlines the importance of continuing professional development and managing career transitions.
- Professional Behaviour: Covers professional boundaries, reporting obligations, medical records management, insurance, and advertising.
- Ensuring Doctors’ Health: Stresses the importance of doctors maintaining their health and supporting the health of their colleagues.
- Teaching, Supervising, and Assessing: Emphasizes the roles of doctors in education, supervision, and assessment in medical practice.
- Undertaking Research: Outlines the ethical responsibilities involved in medical research.
The code, effective from October 1, 2020, was developed after extensive consultation and is regularly reviewed. It serves as a fundamental document for maintaining the integrity and professionalism of medical practice in Australia.
1. About this code
- 1.1 Purpose of the Code: Sets standards for ethical and professional conduct expected of doctors in Australia.
- 1.2 Use of the Code: Guides doctors in good medical practice and provides a framework for professional judgment.
- 1.3 What the Code Does Not Do: Clarifies that the code does not override legal requirements or provide detailed standards for specific medical disciplines.
- 1.4 Substitute Decision-Makers: Recognizes the role of substitute decision-makers in patient care.
- 1.5 Australia and Australian Medicine: Acknowledges the cultural diversity and history of Australian medicine.
2. Professionalism
- 2.1 Professional Values and Qualities of Doctors: Emphasizes integrity, honesty, and ethical practice in medicine.
- 2.2 Public Comment and Trust in the Profession: Discusses the impact of doctors’ public comments and actions on public trust.
3. Providing Good Care
- 3.1 Introduction: Outlines the primary concern of good patient care.
- 3.2 Good Patient Care: Focuses on competence, effective communication, and evidence-based practice.
- 3.3 Shared Decision-Making: Highlights the importance of involving patients in their care decisions.
- 3.4 Decisions About Access to Medical Care: Addresses non-discrimination and equitable treatment in providing care.
- 3.5 Treatment in Emergencies: Discusses doctors’ responsibilities in emergency care situations.
4. Working with Patients
- 4.1 Introduction: Establishes the basis for the doctor-patient relationship.
- 4.2 Doctor–Patient Partnership: Advocates for respectful, honest, and compassionate interactions.
- 4.3 Effective Communication: Emphasizes clear and considerate communication with patients.
- 4.4 Confidentiality and Privacy: Underlines the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality.
- 4.5 Informed Consent: Stresses the necessity of obtaining informed consent from patients.
- 4.6 Children and Young People: Addresses specific considerations when treating minors.
- 4.7 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety: Focuses on culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- 4.8 Cultural Safety for All Communities: Advocates for cultural safety in treating all patient communities.
- 4.9 Patients Who May Have Additional Needs: Recognizes the unique needs of patients with impairments.
- 4.10 Relatives, Carers, and Partners: Discusses the role of family and carers in patient care.
- 4.11 Adverse Events: Covers doctors’ responsibilities in handling adverse events.
- 4.12 When a Complaint is Made: Outlines the appropriate response to patient complaints.
- 4.13 End-of-Life Care: Guides care for patients at the end of life.
- 4.14 Ending a Professional Relationship: Discusses considerations when terminating a doctor-patient relationship.
- 4.15 Providing Care to Those Close to You: Advises caution in treating close acquaintances.
- 4.16 Closing or Relocating Your Practice: Addresses responsibilities when closing or moving a practice.
5. Respectful Culture
- 5.1 Introduction: Introduces the concept of a respectful culture in medical practice.
- 5.2 Respect for Medical Colleagues and Other Healthcare Professionals: Emphasizes respect within the professional community.
- 5.3 Teamwork: Highlights the importance of collaborative practice.
- 5.4 Discrimination, Bullying, and Sexual Harassment: Addresses unacceptable behaviors in the workplace.
6. Working with Healthcare Professionals
- 6.1 Introduction: Discusses collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
- 6.2 Coordinating Care: Stresses the importance of coordinated care for patients.
- 6.3 Delegation, Referral, and Handover: Outlines best practices for delegation and referral processes.
7. Working within the Healthcare System
- 7.1 Introduction: Introduces the doctor’s role within the broader healthcare system.
- 7.2 Wise Use of Healthcare Resources: Discusses efficient and ethical use of healthcare resources.
- 7.3 Health Advocacy: Highlights the role of doctors in advocating for patient health.
- 7.4 Public Health: Emphasizes responsibilities in public health promotion and disease prevention.
8. Patient Safety and Minimising Risk
- 8.1 Introduction: Discusses the importance of patient safety.
- 8.2 Risk Management: Focuses on strategies for managing risks in medical practice.
- 8.3 Doctors’ Performance – You and Your Colleagues: Addresses maintaining and monitoring professional performance.
9. Maintaining Professional Performance
- 9.1 Introduction: Introduces the concept of ongoing professional development.
- 9.2 Continuing Professional Development: Stresses the importance of continuous learning and skill development.
- 9.3 Career Transitions: Discusses managing changes in professional roles and stages.
10. Professional Behaviour
- 10.1 Introduction: Sets the context for professional behavior.
- 10.2 Professional Boundaries: Emphasizes the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries.
- 10.3 Reporting Obligations: Covers mandatory reporting requirements.
- 10.4 Vexatious Complaints: Discusses handling of baseless complaints.
- 10.5 Medical Records: Highlights the importance of accurate and confidential medical records.
- 10.6 Insurance: Stresses the need for appropriate professional indemnity insurance.
- 10.7 Advertising: Guides ethical advertising practices.
- 10.8 Medico-Legal, Insurance, and Other Assessments: Addresses responsibilities in medico-legal contexts.
- 10.9 Medical Reports, Certificates, and Giving Evidence: Discusses the importance of accuracy in medical documentation.
- 10.10 Curriculum Vitae: Advises honesty in presenting qualifications and experience.
- 10.11 Investigations: Outlines doctors’ responsibilities during investigations.
- 10.12 Conflicts of Interest: Discusses managing potential conflicts of interest.
- 10.13 Financial and Commercial Dealings: Addresses ethical considerations in financial dealings.
11. Ensuring Doctors’ Health
- 11.1 Introduction: Introduces the importance of doctors’ health.
- 11.2 Your Health: Emphasizes self-care and health management for doctors.
- 11.3 Other Doctors’ Health: Discusses supporting the health of colleagues.
12. Teaching, Supervising, and Assessing
- 12.1 Introduction: Discusses the roles in teaching and supervision.
- 12.2 Teaching and Supervising: Highlights the importance of quality teaching and supervision.
- 12.3 Assessing Colleagues: Addresses the responsibilities in peer assessment.
- 12.4 Medical Students: Covers the involvement of medical students in clinical settings.
13. Undertaking Research
- 13.1 Introduction: Introduces the role of research in medical practice.
- 13.2 Research Ethics: Discusses ethical considerations in conducting research.
- 13.3 Treating Doctors and Research: Addresses the balance between research and patient care.
Acknowledgements, Authority, Review: Acknowledges contributors, outlines the authority of the code, and mentions the review process.