Unit 20 Medical ethics

GMC guidelines

Care= protecting and looking after someone

professional competence = level of specialized knowledge and skills

confidential =private, secret

prejudice =have a negative influence on

risk=possibility of something bad happening

fit to practice=in a suitable condition to work

The duties of a doctor registered with the General Medical Council include:

1. Make the careof yourpatient your first concern.

2. Treat every patient politely and considerately.

3. Give patients information in a way they can understand.

4.Keep your professional knowledge and skills up to date.

5. Recognize the limits of your professional competence.

6. Be honest and trustworthy.

7.Respect and protect confidentialinformation.

8. Make sure that your personal beliefs do not prejudiceyour parent's care.

9. Act quickly to protect patients from riskif you have good reason to believe that your or your colleague may not be fit to practice.

Note: for a full list of the guidelines, see www.gmc-uk.org

Bioethical issues