Principles governing the conduct of doctors
Principles governing the conduct of doctors
Non- judgmental
Doctors should be aware of their own prejudices and always avoid them encroaching on their clinical practice. All patients must be treated with respect and doctors must be prepared to spend time and listen to what every patient has to say.
Empowerment
Even within the prison context patients should be empowered by the doctor. Imparting information and so increasing understanding, and encouraging patients to discuss options for their treatment, are two important ways of empowering patients.
Knowledge
All doctors, regardless of their preferred specialty, must have a good working knowledge of those disorders, which commonly occur in prison settings.
Role
Prison doctors may fill several roles e.g., personal doctor to prisoners, environmental adviser, adviser to the governor and adviser to the courts. The doctor must make it clear to each prisoner which role he/she is in at any particular time, but the most important role is that of personal doctor.
Confidentiality
Within the clinical setting, confidentiality must be respected. (See also privacy below).
Privacy
It will usually be the case that the doctor consults with a patient in private, but the risks involved in doing so must always be assessed. If occasionally it is considered unwise to see a patient alone, then the accompanying officer will be required to adhere to the rules of medical confidentiality and the patient must be made aware of this.
Behaviour
The behaviour of the doctor must be appropriate to each individual patient. In particular the doctor must be sure that any physical contact cannot be misconstrued.
[1] 'Vulnerable patients, vulnerable doctors' Royal College of Psychiatrists Council Report CR101 2002