Respect for life constitutes in all circumstances the primary duty of the
physician.
The physician must treat with the same conscience all patients,
regardless of their condition, nationality, religion, reputation or
feelings.
In no case should he practice his profession in conditions that could
compromise the quality of his care and his acts.
Whatever his function or specialty, except in cases of force majeure,
the physician must provide emergency assistance to a patient in
immediate danger, unless he is assured that other medical care of a
nature to avert the danger is available.
He may not abandon his patients even in case of public danger, unless
ordered in writing by the competent authority.
Unless otherwise provided for by law, the physician is bound by
professional secrecy as long as it does not harm the patient’s interest.
In their relations, the physician and the patient each have the following
guarantees
- free choice of doctor by the patient;
- freedom of prescription for the physician;
- payment of fees by the patient.
The physician must not alienate his professional independence in any
form whatsoever.
He must refrain, even outside the practice of his profession, from any
act likely to bring it into disrepute.
He may not practice, at the same time as medicine, any other activity
incompatible with the dignity of his profession.
Medicine must not be practiced as a business. In this respect;
a) All direct or indirect advertising or publicity and all spectacular
demonstrations related to treatment are prohibited.
b) Any direct or indirect advertising or publicity and any spectacular
demonstration related to treatment that does not have an exclusively
scientific or educational purposes are prohibited.
c) The only indications that a Physician is authorized to mention on his
prescription sheets or in a directory are:
- those which facilitate his or her relations with patients;
-titles, functions, and qualifications officially recognized and related to
the profession;
-d) The only indications that a physician is authorized to display on the
the door of his office are: name and surname, title, qualifications, days and
hours of consultations and possibly the floor.
These indications must be presented with moderation and according to
the customs of the liberal professions. The plate intended for their
inscription must not exceed 25 cm by 10 cm.
In case of possible confusion, the mention of the first name(s) may be
required by the Council of the Order.
The usurpation of titles or the use of titles not authorized by the
Council of the Order, as well as all procedures intended to deceive the
public in this regard is prohibited.
The practice of medicine under a pseudonym is prohibited.
The Physician must practice his or her profession under conditions that
permit the regular use of a facility and the technical means necessary
for practicing his art.
It is forbidden to have a colleague manage a practice, except in the case
of replacement.
No physician shall give any facility to anyone engaged in the illegal
practice of medicine.
Any competition between doctors and pharmacists or any other
persons are forbidden.
It is forbidden to give consultations on commercial premises where
medicines or devices are offered for sale, as well as in the outbuildings
of said premises.
No person shall engage in any other trade or profession the profits
from which would be increased by professional prescriptions or advice.
No person shall use an elective office or administrative position to
increase his clientele.
All deceptions likely to bring the profession into disrepute are
prohibited, in particular all practices of charlatanism.
It is a serious offence to deceive the good faith of practitioners or
clients by presenting to them as beneficial or without danger a new
diagnostic or treatment procedure that has not been sufficiently tested.
In the practice of his art, the Physician may issue certificates,
attestations or documents in the prescribed form.
Any certificate, attestation or document issued by a Physician must
bear his signature, as well as his name and address.
The issuance of a biased report or a certificate of convenience
constitutes a serious fault.