Ethics guide urges doctors to be more honest

Doctors could face disciplinary action if they fail to tell patients when they have made a mistake, according to a revised Medical Council guide on professional conduct.

The document, Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners, stresses the importance of communicating with patients and their families and being honest about mistakes that may have led to a patient being harmed. This advice is based on research that suggests being honest can help improve patient safety.

The guide also says the doctor involved should

• explain how the mistake was made
• offer assurances that changes have been implemented to avoid the same mistake from happening again 
• apologise if appropriate.

For the first time, the guidance provides advice for doctors on how to support victims of abuse or neglect. It states that disclosing information in order to protect vulnerable patients may be a justifiable breach of confidentially. The Medical Council says it hopes GPs will use the guidance to make the first steps towards protecting patients who they suspect may be victims of abuse.

The guidance goes on to provide advice on issues including: advance care directives, assisted human reproduction, using locums and treating patients with drug dependency.

Doctors are reminded that they must also report all adverse incidents to the appropriate health authority for further investigation.