Ethics in Medical Professions

Code of Ethics

For the medical field, there is a code of ethics. I have put the code of ethics below. This

code of ethics below is taken from the AMA which is also known as the American

Medical Association. Although most medical professionals aren’t a part of the

AMA(only around less than 20% of US doctors are in the AMA), they are one of the

better known organizations in the United States, and with my research they were the

most prominent code of ethics to exist on google. There are nine principles in the AMA

code of ethics that are meant to protect the patients of the physicians and uphold

medical standards. The code of ethic’s below was revised in June 2001 and is not the

most updated version that exists.

Background on the AMA code of ethics

Thomas Percival published his Medical Ethics in 1803, which was later adopted by the

AMA in 1847. The process to modernize the code of ethics started in 2008 and was

officially adopted in June of 2016 at the AMA’s annual meeting. From my research I was

unable to find any case of the AMA enforcing its code of ethics. Whether that be

revoking a license or bringing them to justice. This is because the AMA is a voluntary

membership organization and is not connected with the government. The AMA seems

to exist as a group of medical professions meant to protect physicians and doctors, as

well as uphold a standard. There are many opinions on whether the AMA is good or not,

or accurately represents US doctors, but this is something that I won’t discuss right

now.

Most doctors don’t seem to believe the AMA accurately represents the profession and

added along with the annual membership fee, shows why not even half of US doctors

are in the AMA or support it. I do believe that given a situation, the AMA’s voice can be

counted as a credible source and has even disputed with the Supreme Court of the

ethics of using medical professions for euthanasia. While there is no enforcement by

the AMA, governing medical bodies are capable of revoking licenses and bringing those

who violate patient’s rights to justice. So this doesn’t mean medical professionals can

just go and do what they want, it just means the AMA code of ethics is just an example

to follow, but not a law.

Why does the code of ethics exist

The medical profession like doctors and physicians are ethically responsible for their

patients. This could be someone who is just sick with the flu, just got into an accident

or broke a bone. Any person that comes to them looking for medical advice/assistance

is a patient. The code of ethics for medical professions is very important. The whole

profession exists to serve people. If someone out there is violating these ethics and
harming patients, they should be immediately punished and revoked of their ability to

serve any other patient. People’s lives are at risk, this profession isn’t just something

you do for fun. There’s alot you need to know and do before you become a doctor,

which shows the importance of this career field.

Appendix

1. A physician shall be dedicated to providing competent medical care, with

compassion and respect for human dignity and rights.

2. A physician shall uphold the standards of professionalism, be honest in all

professional interactions, and strive to report physicians deficient in character or

competence, or engaging in fraud or deception, to appropriate entities.

3. A physician shall respect the law and also recognize a responsibility to seek

changes in those requirements which are contrary to the best interests of the

patient.

4. A physician shall respect the rights of patients, colleagues, and other health

professionals, and shall safeguard patient confidences and privacy within the

constraints of the law.

5. A physician shall continue to study, apply, and advance scientific knowledge,

maintain a commitment to medical education, make relevant information

 available to patients, colleagues, and the public, obtain consultation, and use the

talents of other health professionals when indicated.

6. A physician shall, in the provision of appropriate patient care, except in

emergencies, be free to choose whom to serve, with whom to associate, and the

environment in which to provide medical care.

7. A physician shall recognize a responsibility to participate in activities

contributing to the improvement of the community and the betterment of public

health.

8. A physician shall, while caring for a patient, regard responsibility to the patient

as paramount.

9. A physician shall support access to medical care for all people.

Citations

AMA. American Medical Association. (2022, November 29). Retrieved November

29, 2022, from https://www.ama-assn.org/

Girgis, C. L. (2018, April 27). Is the AMA really the voice of physicians in the US? -

physician's Weekly. Physician's Weekly - A trusted source of medical information

for healthcare professional. Retrieved November 29, 2022, from

https://www.physiciansweekly.com/is-the-ama-really-the-voice-of-physicians-

in-the-us/

Moran, M., & Search for more papers by this author. (2017, February 27). AMA

code of Medical Ethics gets long-awaited update. Psychiatric News. Retrieved

November 29, 2022, from

https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.pn.2017.3a3

Belluz, J. (2014, June 24). Why dr. oz can say anything and keep his medical license.

Vox. Retrieved November 29, 2022, from

https://www.vox.com/2014/6/24/5838690/why-is-dr-oz-still-a-doctor