Australian Medical Association

The idea of a chaperone may seem old fashioned. But patients differ in their preception of what is required during a medical examination,  particularly if the patient comes from a different background. The presence of a chaperone is one way to minimise complaints being made against doctors.

Whenever you are conducting an examination, whether it is in a suburban surgery or in a busy hospital, consider whether you should have a chaperone present.

It has become increasingly common for health practitioners not holding a medical degree or professional doctorate qualifications, to adopt the title ‘Doctor’ (Dr). The AMA opposes the use of the title ‘Dr’  by health practitioners in a way that misleads people into believing they are consulting or receiving treatment from a medical practitioner.

The AMA's Position Statement on Doctors' Relationships with Industry 2010 provides guidance for doctors on maintaining ethical relationships with the pharmaceutical industry, medical device and technology industry, and health care product and service suppliers in general ('industry'). While collaboration between doctors and industry contributes beneficially to the quality of health care that Australians receive, doctors have a responsibility to ensure that their relationships with industry are consistent with their duties to their patients and towards society at large.

The Australian Medical Council (AMC) is developing a national code of professional conduct for doctors entitled Good Medical Practice: A Code of Conduct for Doctors in Australia (previously entitled Good Medical Practice: A Draft Code of Professional Conduct). The Code is intended to supersede existing State and Territory medical board professional conduct codes. The AMC intends to recommend that it be adopted by the new national medical board. The AMC's Final Consultation Draft of April 2009 reflects the feedback they received in response to the previous public consultation draft of August 2008.

The AMA's submission is attached.

Whilst the AMA considers the Final Consultation Draft to be a major improvement on the earlier version, the AMA has highlighted a few sections that require further amendment, including the sections on conscientious objection and on conflicts of interest. The AMA has also emphasised the need for the release of the Code to be accompanied by relevant public and profession based education campaigns and to be subject to a regular 3-5 year review cycle.

AMA Joint Submission on Good Medical Practice: A Draft Code of Professional Conduct (August 2008)

The AMA Code of Ethics articulates and promotes a body of ethical principles to guide doctors' conduct in their relationships with patients, colleagues and society. This Code has grown out of other similar ethical codes stretching back into history including the Hippocratic Oath.

The Australian Medical Council (AMC) is developing a national code of professional conduct for doctors entitled Good Medical Practice: A Code of Conduct for Doctors in Australia (previously entitled Good Medical Practice: A Draft Code of Professional Conduct). The Code is intended to supersede existing State and Territory medical board professional conduct codes. The AMC intends to recommend that it be adopted by the new national medical board.

The AMA has provided submissions on the AMC's public consultation drafts of the code. The AMA firmly believes that our regulatory system, including codes of professional conduct, must reflect the values and standards of the profession and supports doctor in fulfilling their duties to patients. Throughout the development of the Code, the AMA has strongly advocated that a code of conduct should:

• guide doctors in their relationships with patients and in their roles as patient advocates; 
• support doctors’ professional judgment and clinical independence; 
• respond to individual patient circumstances and diverse work settings; and 
• respect doctors and the wider medical profession.