I. Medical Ethics : Finnish Medical Association
Sukhit Phaosavasdi MD*, Surasak Taneepanichskul MD*, Yuen Tannirandorn MD*, Boonchai Uerpairojkit MD* Chumsak Pruksapong MD**, Aurchart Kanjanapitak MD***
Affiliation : * Member of Thai Medical Association ** Director General of Instiute of Forensic Science *** Secretary General; Thai Medical Association, Member of the Royal College of ENT, Deputy Secretary General of Medical Council
Refer to the annual meeting of World Medical Association in Helsinki, Thursday September 10 to
Sunday September 14, 2003, the daily issue and the whole day is “Ethics”. The contents should be mentioned
for your information. Members who wish the original report, free of charge, please contact the Medical
Association of Thailand. The first actual Code of Medical Ethics was confirmed by the Finnish Medical
Association in 1956. It has been modified since to correspond to the changes in physicians’ work and in
society. The Code was renewed in 1999.
A person working as a physician has undertaken a great and demanding task, which cannot be fulfilled unless there is, in addition to proper knowledge, a serious desire to meet the ethical responsibilities acknow- ledged by the medical profession for thousands of years. A physician gains trust on the basis of personality, knowledge and proficiency. In accordance with these principles, the Delegate Committee of the Finnish Medical Association has adopted the following code to be observed by physicians in their profession.
1. It is a physician’s duty to protect human life and alleviate suffering, with the promotion and establishment of health as the principal aim.
2. A physician shall serve his fellowmen charitably and show himself by his behaviour and actions to be worthy of the trust and respect that his task requires. He shall never participate in torture, the implementation of a death sentence or any other inhuman actions or preparation thereof.
3. A physician shall treat patients as equals and not allow race, religion, political views or social status to have any effect on his actions towards them.
4. A physician shall not use his authority to undermine a patient’s right to make decisions concerning himself. Even where the patient cannot convey his own will, it is incumbent upon the physician to act in the patient’s best interest.
If a physician is compelled to make decisions concerning examinations or therapy irrespective of the patients’s will, such decisions shall always be made on medical grounds.
5. A physician shall maintain and further his knowledge and skills, and shall recommend only those examina- tions and therapy that are considered effective and purposeful on the basis of medical knowledge and experience.
6. Should a physician wish for his patient to participate in a clinical trial in which the examinations and therapy deviate from the normal procedure for the disease, he shall obtain the patient’s freely-given consent without pressure, the patient being aware of the trial and of the additional strain and risks involved. Generally accepted declarations and instructions issued by the authorities shall be observed during the trial.
7. A physician shall maintain medical confidentiality and encourage his subordinates to do so.
8. A physician may not seek unfounded tangible interest. He shall treat patients according to their need and collect a fee on the basis of the work carried out.
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