The following document was written by Dr Satvir Singh FRANZCP (Aust), FRCPsych (UK), MSc (Lon), MRCPsych (UK), DPM, MBBS Consultant Psychiatrist & Lead Consultant for Undergraduate Medical Education (psychiatry) Kent & Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust Canterbury, Kent in Dec 2007.
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Key Attributes of a Doctor and His/Her Duties

General Medical Council (GMC) UK regularly publish and remind all doctors registered with the GMC of their duties. The respective Royal Colleges, through their Department of Postgraduate Educational Services also reinforce the need to maintain a good standard of practice and care.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists advise as well as publish and monitor each of their member participation in the “Continuing Professional Development” (CPD) Programme and issue a certificate each year to its members once the expected educational and other professional activities have been undertaken and completed successfully.

The College first published “Good Psychiatric Practice: CPD” in 2001 and since then regularly followed up each of the registered members and his/her progress in maintaining their existing knowledge and skills; developing new knowledge and skills; and remedying any deficits in their knowledge and skills bases.

The College expects that each doctor and each member of the College must adhere to the basic duties of a Doctor as outlined by the GMC, UK and they are as follows:

…….”Patients must be able to trust doctors with their lives and well-being.”

……..”To justify that trust, the profession has a duty to maintain a good standard of practice and care and to show respect for human life.”

In particular, doctors must:

In all these matters, doctors must never discriminate unfairly against their patients or colleagues. And they must always be prepared to justify their actions to them.

To put the above in clinical practice, there are some key principles, which must be followed almost all the time.

Above all, maintain the right attitude and professionalism in looking after your patient and other related clinical work. When in doubt, talk to your colleagues/peers/seniors and do not forget to keep the dignity, respect and confidentiality of your patient.

References

www.gmc-uk.org

Author:
Dr Satvir Singh
FRANZCP (Aust), FRCPsych (UK), MSc (Lon), MRCPsych (UK), DPM, MBBS
Consultant Psychiatrist & Lead Consultant for Undergraduate Medical Education (psychiatry)
Kent & Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust
Canterbury, Kent



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