Good Medical Practice

Prof. Suad M Babiker -AlZaeim AlAzhari University

There are Principles of good medical practice and

standards of competence, care and conduct
expected of a doctor in all aspects of his
professional work.
Patients must be able to trust doctors and other
health
professionals with their lives and well being .To
justify that
trust, we as a profession have a duty to maintain a
good
standard of practice and care and to show respect
for human
life.

1 Make the care of your patient your first

concern.
2 Treat every patient politely and considerately.
3 Respect patients dignity and privacy.
4 Listen to patients and respect their views.

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Duties of doctors: This apply to other health care

providers,:

5 Give patients information in away that they

can understand.
6 Respect the rights of patients to be fully
involved in decisions about their care.
7 Keep your professional knowledge and skills up
to date;
8 Recognize the limits of your professional
competence.
9 Be honest and trustworthy.
10
Respect
and
protect
confidential
information
11
Make sure that your personal beliefs do not
prejudice your patients care.
12
Act quickly to protect patients from risk if
you have good reason to believe that you or
colleague may not be fit to practice.
13
Avoid abusing your position.
14
Work with colleagues in away that serve
patients interest.
Professional attitudes &values:

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1 Attitudes concerned with learning

Responsibility of his or her own
learning, before graduation and after
for
continuing
professional
development.

 An
approach
to
learning
that
demonstrates critical curiosity and
enthusiasm.
Flexible attitude that is responsive to
change and the confidence to acquire
or retain the ability to adapt clinical
behaviour in the light of new
knowledge.

2 Personal attitudes and values

An awareness and acceptance of
personal limits of knowledge and
skills and a willingness to extend
the boundaries of these.
Respect of his or her own attitudes
and values and those of others.

1 Awareness of the impact of prejudice and

discrimination on medical practice.
2 Capacity for self audit and active participation
on peer review.
3 A respect for the boundaries between self,
patients, colleagues, family and friends.

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Professional attitudes and Value:

4 An
awareness
and
understanding
of
professional responsibilities including:
Appropriate support for colleagues and
peers.
Contributing to teaching and research.
Maintaining professional confidentiality.
5 A patient centred approach:
Acknowledgment of patients expectations
and perceptions including
-health beliefs
-respect for patients autonomy.

7 Critical awareness of the diversity, strengths

and weakness of different attitudes within
the profession.
8 The ability to apply scientific method and an
evidence based approach to medical
decision-making including evaluation of
probabilities for diagnosis and management.
9 The ability to tolerate uncertainty, to make
professional decisions in the light of this and
a willingness to share uncertainties and
probabilities with colleagues and patients
appropriately.
Good Clinical Care must include:

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6 Recognition of the whole person: social,

psychological and biological.

 Recognize the limits of your professional

competence.
Be willing to consult colleagues.
Keep clear accurate records.
Keep colleagues well informed when sharing
the care of patients.
Prescribe drugs or ask for investigations only in
patients interest.
Making the efficient use of resources available
to you.
If you have good reason to think your ability to
treat patients safely is seriously compromised by
inadequate
premises,
equipment,
or
other
recourses, you should put the matter right, if that
is possible.
Maintaining Good Medical Practice:
Keeping up to date in knowledge and skills
throughout your working life .In particular you

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Adequate assessment of the patients

condition.
Providing or arranging investigation or
treatment where necessary.
Taking suitable action when necessary,
Referring to another practitioner when
indicated.
In providing the care you must:

should take part regularly in educational

activities which maintain and further develop
you competence and performance.
Observe and keep up to date with the laws and
statutory code of practice which affect your
work.
Maintaining your performance:
Work with colleagues to monitor and maintain
quality of care, and high awareness of patients
safety .In particular:
Clinical audit.
Reviewing and appraisal of performance
Confidential inquires.
Further Readings
the

website

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1 GMC publications &guidances

All can be accessed on
(http://www.gmc-uk.org)