The Language of Values

Posted on | December 15, 2006 | Comments Off on The Language of Values

The other day I came across an inspirational statement from the UK’s General Medical Council. Putting aside whether or not that system is good, bad, or somewhere in-between, the language resonated with me. Here it is:

The duties of a doctor registered with the UK’s General Medical Council (2006)

Patients must be able to trust doctors with their lives and health. To justify that trust you must show respect for human life and you must:

– Make the care of your patient your first concern
– Protect and promote the health of patients and the public
– Provide a good standard of practice and care
– Keep your professional knowledge and skills up to date
– Recognize and work within the limits of your competence
– Work with colleagues in the ways that best serve patients’ interests.
– Treat patients as individuals and respect their dignity
– Treat patients politely and considerately
– Respect patients’ right to confidentiality
– Work in partnership with patients
– Listen to patients and respond to their concerns and preferences
– Give patients the information they want or need in a way they can understand
– Respect patients’ right to reach decisions with you about their treatment and care
– Support patients in caring for themselves to improve and maintain their health
– Be honest and open and act with integrity
– Act without delay if you have good reason to believe that you or a colleague may be putting patients at risk
– Never discriminate unfairly against patients or colleagues
– Never abuse your patients’ trust in you or the public’s trust in the profession