Ethics and etiquette in medical profession: A comprehensive revisit

Ethical codes have been devised by various groups and professional bodies to regulate their conduct among themselves and with the extended society. In present practice, fresh medical graduate is administered the ‘Declaration of Geneva, 1948’ at the time of being inducted into the medical profession. Some of the phrases of the declaration are at stake, as feared by the medical educationists. Ethical obligations of the doctor are discussed in relation to different phases of the patient's life. The ethical dilemma and ethical violations are distinguished. Medical etiquette is discussed. The essence of consent and confidentiality in medical practice is highlighted. Ethical doctrines of ‘primum non-nocere’, ‘beneficence’ and ‘non-malfeasance’ is discussed. Utilization of teaching faculty as role models in medical education is recommended.