Do's and Don'ts for Registered Medical Practitioners

In the current landscape of healthcare, it has become a prevailing norm for clinical institutions and medical professionals to engage in promotional activities across various media platforms, including print, electronic, and social media. However, it is of paramount importance to acknowledge that within the Indian Medical Council's "Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Ethics" Regulations of 2002, there exist meticulously outlined guidelines specifically designed for Registered Medical Practitioners.

It is imperative that every conscientious physician acquaint themselves with these established principles, for they serve as a compass guiding ethical and professional behavior in the field of medicine.

Section 6.1 of Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 mentions that-

01.  Soliciting of patients directly or indirectly, by a physician, by a group of physicians or by institutions or organisations is unethical.

02.A physician shall not make use of him / her (or his / her name) as subject of any form or manner of advertising or publicity through any mode either alone or in conjunction with others which is of such a character as to invite attention to him or to his professional position, skill, qualification, achievements, attainments, specialities, appointments, associations, affiliations or honours and/or of such character as would ordinarily result in his self aggrandizement. 

03.A physician shall not give to any person, whether for compensation or otherwise, any approval, recommendation, endorsement, certificate, report or  statement with respect of any drug, medicine, nostrum remedy, surgical, or therapeutic article, apparatus or appliance or any commercial product or article with respect of any property, quality or use thereof or any test, demonstration or trial thereof, for use in connection with his name, signature, or photograph in any form or manner of advertising through any mode 

04. A physician shall not  boast of cases, operations, cures or remedies or permit the publication of report thereof through any mode.

Physician in lay press:

 A physician should not contribute to the lay press articles and give interviews regarding diseases and treatments which may have the effect of advertising himself or soliciting practices; but is open to write to the lay press under his own name on matters of public health, hygienic living or to deliver public lectures, give talks on the radio/TV/internet chat for the same purpose and send announcement of the same to lay press.

Healthcare institutions and Advertisements:

 An institution run by a physician for a particular purpose such as a maternity home, nursing home, private hospital, rehabilitation centre or any type of training institution etc. may be advertised in the lay press, but such advertisements should not contain anything more than the name of the institution, type of patients admitted, type of training and other facilities offered and the fees.

Advertisement permitted in certain situations:

 A medical practitioner is however permitted to make a formal announcement in press regarding the following:

 (1) On starting practice.

 (2) On change of type of practice.

 (3) On changing address.

 (4) On temporary absence from duty. 

(5) On resumption of another practice.

 (6) On succeeding to another practice.

 (7) Public declaration of charges.

Guidelines for letter head and sign boards:

  Section 6.1.2 of Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 mentions that  Printing of self photograph, or any such material of publicity in the letter head or on sign board of the consulting room or any such clinical establishment shall be regarded as acts of self advertisement and unethical conduct on the part of the physician. However, printing of sketches, diagrams, picture of human system shall not be treated as unethical

It is improper for a physician to use an unusually large sign board and write on it anything other than his name, qualifications obtained from a University or a statutory body, titles and name of his speciality, registration number including the name of the State Medical Council under which registered. The same should be the contents of his prescription papers. It is improper to affix a sign-board on a chemist‟s shop or in places where he does not reside or work. 

Display of registration numbers:

  Section 1.4 of Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 mentions that Every physician shall display the registration number accorded to him by the State Medical Council / Medical Council of India in his clinic and in all his prescriptions, certificates, money receipts given to his patients.  Physicians shall display as suffix to their names only recognized medical degrees or such certificates/diplomas and memberships/honours which confer professional knowledge or recognizes any exemplary qualification/achievements.

As healthcare professionals, it is our duty to be diligent and conscientious in our advertising practices, ensuring that we not only adhere to the regulations but also uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. In doing so, we strengthen the foundation of trust that underpins the doctor-patient relationship and contribute to the betterment of healthcare for all.