(World Medical Association, 1948, 1968, 1983)
Recited at the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession:
I solemnly pledge to consecrate my life to the service of humanity;
I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude which is their due;
I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity;
The health of my patient will be my first consideration;
I will respect the secrets which are confided in me, even after the patient has died;
I will maintain by all means in my power, the honor and the noble traditions of the medical profession;
My colleagues will be my brothers;
I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, party politics, or social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient;
I will maintain the utmost respect for human life from its beginning even under threat and I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity;
I make these promises solemnly, freely, and upon my honour.
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International Code of Medical Ethics
(World Medical Association, 1949, 1968, 1983)
Duties of Physicians in General:
A physician shall always maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.
A physician shall not permit motives of profit to influence the free and independent exercise of professional judgement on behalf of all patients.
A physician shall, in all types of medical practice, be dedicated to providing competent medical services in full technical and moral independence, with compassion and respect for human dignity.
A physician shall deal honestly with patients and colleagues, and strive to expose those physicians deficient in character or competence, or who engage in fraud or deception.
The following practices are deemed to be unethical conduct:
Self advertising by physicians, unless permitted by the laws of the country and the Code of Ethics of the National Medical Association.
Paying or receiving any fee or any other consideration solely to procure the referral of a patient or for prescribing or referring a patient to any source.
A physician shall respect the rights of patients, of colleagues, and of other health professionals, and shall safeguard patient confidences.
A physician shall act only in the patient's interest when providing medical care which might have the effect of weakening the physical and medical condition of the patient.
A physician shall use great caution in divulging discoveries or new techniques or treatment through non-professional channels.
A physician shall certify only that which he has personally verified.
Duties of Physicians to the Sick
A physician shall always bear in mind the obligation of preserving human life.
A physician shall owe his patients complete loyalty and all the resources of his science. Whenever an examination or treatment is beyond the physician's capacity he should summon another physician who has the necessary ability.
A physician shall preserve absolute confidentiality on all he knows about his patient even after the patient has died.
A physician shall give emergency care as a humanitarian duty unless he is assured that others are wiling and able to give such care.
Duties of Physicians to each other
A physician shall behave towards his colleagues as he would have them behave toward him.
A physician shall not entice patients from his colleagues.
A physician shall observe the principles of the "Declaration of Geneva" approved by the World Medical Association.
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Declaration of
Preamble: It is the privilege of the medical doctor to practice medicine in the service of humanity, to preserve and restore bodily and mental health without distinction as to persons, to comfort and to ease the suffering of his or her patients. The utmost respect for human life is to be maintained even under threat, and no use made of any medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity. For the purpose of this Declaration, torture is defined as the deliberate, systematic or wanton infliction of physical or mental suffering by one or more persons acting alone or on the orders of any authority, to force another person to yield information, to make a confession, or for any other reason.
1. The doctor shall not countenance, condone, or participate in the practice of torture, or other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading procedures, whatever the offense of which the victim of such procedures is suspected, accused or guilty, and whatever the victim's beliefs or motives, and in all situations, including armed conflict and civil strife.
2. The doctor shall not provide any premises, instruments, substances, or knowledge to facilitate the practice of torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or to diminish the ability of the victim to resist such treatment.
3. The doctor shall not be present during any procedure during which torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment is used or threatened.
4. A doctor must have complete clinical independence in deciding upon the care of a person for whom he or she is medically responsible. The doctor's fundamental role is to alleviate the distress of his or her fellow men, and no motive, whether personal, collective, or political shall prevent against this higher purpose.
5. Where a prisoner refuges nourishment and is considered by the doctor as capable of forming an unimpaired and rational judgment concerning the consequences of such a voluntary refusal of nourishment, he or she shall not be fed artificially. The decision as to the capacity of the prisoner to form such a judgment should be confirmed by at least one other independent doctor. The consequences of the refusal of nourishment shall be explained by the doctor to the prisoner.
6. The World Medical Association will support, and should encourage the international community, the national medical associations, and fellow doctors, to support the doctor and his or her family in the face of threats or reprisals resulting from a refusal to condone the use of torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
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Regulations in Time of Armed Conflict
(World Medical Association, 1956, 1957, 1983)
These regulations or guidelines sets out the WMA's standards on the medical ethical position of the physician during a period of war or other armed conflict. The statement was approved by the 10th World Medical Assembly in
Regulations in Time of Armed Conflict
Medical ethics in time of armed conflict are identical to medical ethics in time of peace, as established in the International Code of Medical Ethics of the World Medical Association. The primary obligation of the physician is his professional duty; in performing his professional duty, the physician's supreme guide is his conscience.
The primary task of the medical profession is to preserve health and save life. Hence it deemed unethical for physicians to
Give advice or perform prophylactic, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures that are not justifiable in the patient's interest.
Weaken the physical or mental strength of a human being without therapeutic justification.
Employ scientific knowledge to imperil health or destroy life.
Human experimentation in time of armed conflict is governed by the same code as in time of peace; it is strictly forbidden on all persons deprived of their liberty, especially civilian and military prisoners and the population of occupied countries.
In emergencies, the physician must always give the required care impartially and without consideration of sex, race,nationality, religion, political affiliation or any other similar criterion. Such medical assistance must be continued for as long as necessary and practicable.
Medical confidentiality must be preserved by the physician in the practice of his profession.
A physician shall use great caution in divulging discoveries or new techniques or treatment through non-professional channels.
A physician shall certify only that which he has personally verified.
Duties of Physician to the Sick
A physician shall always bear in mind the obligation of preserving human life.
A physician shall owe his patients complete loyalty and all the resources of his science. Whenever an examination or treatment is beyond the physician's capacity he should summon another physician who has the necessary ability.
A physician shall preserve absolute confidentiality on all he knows about his patient even after the patient has died.
A physician shall give emergency care as a humanitarian duty unless he is assured that others are willing and able to give such care.
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