Ethics and principles for Orthopaedic Surgeons

Abstract

Since, the number of orthopaedic surgeons is increasing, competition to get patient and money is also increasing. Everybody talks about ethics and principles, but nobody follows them. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) developed The Principles of Medical Ethics for the orthopaedic surgeons for the betterment of the patients.

Orthopaedic surgeon should know that they are the role models for orthopaedic residents and other health care professionals and should by their actions comply with the ethics and principles. Orthopaedic surgeon should follow a reputation for truth and honesty in all professional conducts. They are expected to provide competent and compassionate patient care and maintain the patient’s best interest. Orthopaedic surgeon should avoid unethical practice like giving money to Public Relation Officers (PROs) and General Practitioners (GPs) of villages and small towns to get patients. In India, most of the orthopaedics patients are referred by general practitioners, so it becomes inevitable to give money to get patients in private practice. Since, lot of money is involved in orthopaedic surgery, most of the doctors and private hospitals give money to general practitioners to get patients. This malpractice should be stopped, and a healthy atmosphere should be created for the next generation.

Orthopaedic surgeon should promote their own physical and mental wellbeing by maintaining healthy lifestyle. There should not be any conflict of interest with the patient. Orthopaedic surgeon should not involve in any financial interest in medical shops, diagnostic centres, or any pathology lab. Fair charges of surgery and hospital should be taken from the patients for the better patient doctor relationship. Orthopaedic surgeon should continuously maintain and improve the medical knowledge by participating in relevant continuing medical education activities.

Good relationship with other colleagues and staff is essential for good patient care. The professional conduct of the orthopaedic surgeon may be scrutinized by local professional associations, hospitals, organizations, peer review committees and state medical licensing boards.

It is unethical to orthopaedic surgeon to charge extremely high for surgery as it causes burden to the patient and society. Some services should be provided to the needy patient at free of cost. Activities that have the purpose of improving the health and wellbeing of the patient and community in a cost-effective way should be done by the interest, support and participation of the orthopaedic surgeons.