Consumer Protection Act and Medical Profession - Do’s and Dont's for Doctors

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Some Do's

1. Mention your qualifications on the prescription.Qualifications mean recognized degrees / diplomas as regulated by the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916 as amended from time to time.

2. Mention of scholarships/training / membership/awards which are not qualifications should be avoided.

3. Always mention date and timing of the consultation.

4. Mention age, sex, weight (if child).

5. In complicated cases record precisely history of illness and substantial physical findings about the patient on your prescription.

6. If the patient/attendants are erring on any count ( history not reliable, refusing investigations, refusing admission ) make a note of it or seek written refusal preferably in local language with proper witness.

7. Mention the condition of patient in specific /objective terms. Avoid vague / non-specific terminology.

8. Record history of drug allergy.

9. Write name of drugs clearly. Use correct dosages (by revising knowledge periodically) and mention clearly method and interval of administration. Here one must use local or sign language. Do not forget writing precautions like Ast./p.c./a.c./locally/with milk/h.s. etc.

10. If a drug is a poison ( e.g., certain local applications ), warn in writing.

11. Mention additional precautions e.g., food, rest, avoidance of certain drugs, allergens, alcohol, smoking etc. if indicated.

12. Mention whether prognosis explained. If necessary take a signature of patient /attendant, after explaining the prognosis in written local language.

13. In case of any deviation from standard care, mention reasons .

14. Specifically mention review, SOS/or follow-up schedule.

15. Mention if patient /attendant are/is under effect of alcohol/drugs.

16. In case a particular drug/equipment is not available, make a note.

17. Mention where the patient should contact in case of your non-availability /emergency.

18. Keep updating your knowledge. Read again what you think you already know. You will be in for surprises.

19. Routinely advise X-rays in injury to bones /joints.

Some Dont's

1. Do not hesitate to discuss the case with your colleagues.

2. Do not hesitate to discuss the case with patients /attendants.

3. Do not write Ayurvedic formulations.

4. Do not allow substitutions.

5. For goodness sake do not examine a patient if you are sick,exhausted, under effect of alcohol.

6. Never talk loose of your colleagues, despite intense professional rivalry. Never criticize your brother in profession.

7. The patient /attendants may incite you to say/do something. They may seek your comments on the other doctor’s treatment. There is always a polite way to set aside their queries.

8. Remember if you had seen the case from start you would done the same. If your colleague has made error of judgement regarding diagnosis or treatment, you never know under what circumstances this happened.

9. Do not adopt experimental method in treatment. If there is some rationale do it only after informed consent.

10. If you to back and read the Duties and Obligations of Doctors carefully and apply them religiously in your day to day practice,you are safe.

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Kapil999, India

I was appointed to run a clinic from a hospital facility. The management one day suddenly closed the premises, with all my belongings trapped inside, without giving me any notice. The treatment of many patients was under way and they feel lost. I have complained to police for cognizable offences and also written to the state medical bodies highlighting the manner in which the premises was shut down in my absence. Are any clauses of medical act violated in this sudden and unannounced closure of a medical facility? Dr K G

Rajeev2009, India

I have booked two tickets under PNR no. 4408538575, for travelling from bangalore to delhi by 12213 duranto express on 27-06-2015. But on 23-06-2015 i have received a message regarding cancellation of train, then i called railway enquiry no. 139 in this regard and they told that train cancellation can only be confirmed on 27-06-2015 morning and also advised that i have not to cancel the ticket now but after departure time of the train i have to file the TDR online through irctc website. But when i open the site next day the ticket cancellation option said that it is too late too be cancelled and TDR option said that TDR can only be filled after charting and departure. So I could not cancel my tickets and contact the irctc helpline 011- 39340000 and they told to send an email in this regard on [email protected] and they issue me a Ticket No. 1686501, But they also refused the return on 12/07/2015 by saying that I have filled the TDR very late on 03/07/2015, which had to be filled within 72 hours of train departure time. As I have said earlier wihen I make cancellation of ticket irctc website refuse it and when I file TDR irctc site told that TDR can only be file after charting done and departure of train, no other method is describe there. The method of sending email is only come to know by me when I contacted irctc helpline. This is duty of Railway and Irctc to let the passenger know about the refund procedure in case of cancellation of train. So I want back all my money which is Rs.5636.17/- as train is cancelled by railway itself.

abhi0786, India

I need suggestion regarding the doctors bill. Doctor is giving me bill for 17000 for 3 day for my wife's treatment. She was not admitted to the clinic, just for three days doctor given her 2 bottle of saline everyday. Doctor is having clinic not the hospital. Can you suggest what can i do?

chit123, India

I want to complain against shiv medicos in H block ashok vihar for not giving proper bills for medicines purchased and also not verifying or asking for any prescription and seselling medicines without prescriptions...

nagercoil123

This letter is with reference to the wrong or unwanted medical procedure and hiding the truth regarding my health. Dr. S.Selvamani, Senior Consultant and Interventional cardiologist [ Reg. No: 36009] done procedures like TPI CAG Successful PTCA with BVS (Bio Resorbable Vascular Scaffold) to RCA done on 18-19-2013. I was discharged on 28/09/2013 with the discharge summary as General Condition is GOOD and I thought that I had a single vessel block and that it was cleared by PTCA method and I can continue a normal life. After Discharge,( since the hospital is around 250 Km away from my home town ) I went to another cardiologist in my home town , He took ECHO and stated the extra points like Dialated LA/LV , Grade 3 Diastolic Dysfunction , Moderate PAH , Sclerotic aortic value and minimal effusion behind inferolateral wall , moderate to severe MR, posteriorly directed wall hugging jet ( MR dp/dt 982) and the Global EF is 33 % although Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, Madurai took ECHO they didn't reveled the above points in their discharge sheet and the cardiologist Dr.S.Selvamani ,didn't prescribed the medicines which will improve the EF % . Now I am taking T.Planeb, T.Cardarone and T. Cardace to improve the condition of the heart prescribed by an another cardiologist to improve the pumping capacity of the heart, which was failed by Dr. S. Selvamani. So I suspect that Dr. S. Selvamani didn't diagnosed or gave importance to the pumping capacity of my heart and he did wrong or unwanted procedure like PTCA and temporary pace maker installation. Dr. S. Selvamani, procedures makes me to spend around Rs.4,50,000 ( Rupees Four lacs and fifty Thousand ) at Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, Madurai and now I am spending more money on review and other lab and ECHO procedures to improve the EF% of my heart. I strongly believe that I have been treated wrong / unwanted procedures at Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, Madurai by Dr. S.Selvamani. I am ready to submit any medical documents and willing to go any more procedures to prove that I had been treated at Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, Madurai in unwanted or neglected medical procedures.

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