AMA Code of Ethics 2004. Editorially Revised 2006.

Revised 2016
Members are advised of the importance of seeking the advice of colleagues should they be facing difficult ethical situations.

1. PREAMBLE
1.1 Medical professionalism embodies the values and skills that the profession and society expects
of doctors (medical practitioners). A Code of Ethics is essential for setting and maintaining the
expected standards of ethical behaviour within the medical profession.

1.2 The AMA Code of Ethics articulates and promotes a body of ethical principles to guide doctors’
conduct in their relationships with patients, colleagues and society.

1.3 This Code has grown out of other similar ethical codes stretching back into history including the
Hippocratic Oath and those from other cultures.

1.4 Because of their particular knowledge and expertise, doctors have a responsibility to patients who
entrust themselves to medical care.

1.5 The doctor-patient relationship is a partnership based on mutual respect, collaboration and trust.
Within the partnership, both the doctor and the patient have rights as well as responsibilities.

1.6 While doctors have a primary duty to individual patients, they also have responsibilities to other
patients and the wider community.

1.7 The principles in the AMA Code of Ethics apply to all doctors regardless of their professional
roles.1,2

2. The Doctor and the Patient

2.1 Patient care

2.1.1 Consider first the well-being of the patient.

2.1.2 Treat the patient as an individual, with respect, dignity and compassion in a culturally and
linguistically appropriate manner.

2.1.3 Respect the patient’s right to choose their doctor freely.

2.1.4 Communicate effectively with the patient and obtain their consent before undertaking any tests,
treatments or procedures (there may be an exception in emergency circumstances) or involving them
in research, teaching or disclosing their personal information to others.3,4

2.1.5 Respect the patient’s right to make their own health care decisions. This includes the right to
accept, or reject, advice regarding treatments and procedures including life-sustaining treatments.

2.1.6 Respect the patient’s right to refuse consent or to withdraw their consent.

2.1.7 Encourage and support the patient to take an interest in managing their health.

1
The AMA has a range of position statements, guidelines and other resources that provide detailed information on many of the
issues raised in the Code of Ethics. These can be found at www.ama.com.au.
2
The AMA Code of Ethics complements the Medical Board of Australia’s code of conduct for doctors. All doctors are strongly
encouraged to familiarise themselves, and keep up-to-date, with any guidelines, regulations and legislation relevant to their
professional roles.
3
There may be circumstances where the law authorises or requires the disclosure of a patient’s personal information regardless
of whether or not the patient has provided consent.
4
For consent to be valid, it must be informed, voluntary and made with appropriate decision-making capacity. To ensure
consent is fully informed, the patient should be provided with sufficient information relevant to the decision at hand.

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2.1.8 Respect the patient’s request for a support person.

2.1.9 Facilitate coordination and continuity of care.

2.1.10 Respect the fact that a patient may have more than one established doctor-patient
relationship.

2.1.11 Recognise that you may decline to enter into a therapeutic relationship where an alternative
health care provider is available and the situation is not an emergency one.

2.1.12 Recognise that you may decline to continue a therapeutic relationship if it becomes ineffective
or compromised. Under such circumstances, you can discontinue the relationship if an alternative
health care provider is available and the situation is not an emergency one. You must inform the
patient so that they may seek care elsewhere and assist in facilitating arrangements for their
continuing care.

2.1.13 If you refuse to provide or participate in some form of diagnosis or treatment based on a
conscientious objection, inform the patient so that they may seek care elsewhere. Do not use your
conscientious objection to impede patients’ access to medical treatments including in an emergency
situation.5

2.1.14 Where a patient’s death is deemed to be imminent and where curative or life-prolonging
treatment appears to be of no medical benefit, try to ensure that death occurs with comfort and
dignity.

2.1.15 Respect the right of a terminally ill patient to receive relief from pain and suffering, even where
that may shorten their life.

2.1.16 Avoid providing care to anyone with whom you have a close personal relationship, where
possible.

2.1.17 Facilitate the ongoing care of your patients, including the management of their medical
records, if closing or relocating your practice.

2.1.18 Recognise the patient’s right to make a complaint in relation to their health care. Ensure they
are provided with information on the complaints process and do not let a complaint adversely affect
the patient’s care.

2.2 Protection of patient information

2.2.1 Respect the patient’s right to know what information is held about them, their right to access
their medical records and their right to have control over its use and disclosure, with limited
exceptions.

2.2.2 Maintain the confidentiality of the patient’s personal information including their medical records,
disclosing their information to others only with the patient’s express up-to-date consent or as required
or authorised by law. This applies to both identified and de-identified patient data.

2.2.3 Maintain accurate, contemporaneous medical records.

2.2.4 Ensure patient information is kept secure.

2.2.5 Facilitate arrangements for accessing, transferring and storing medical records upon
retirement.

2.3 Patients with limited, impaired or fluctuating decision-making capacity

5
When a doctor refuses to provide, or participate in, a legally recognised treatment or procedure because it conflicts with his or
her own personal beliefs and values, this constitutes a ‘conscientious objection’.

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2.3.1 Presume an adult patient has decision-making capacity, the ability to make and communicate a
decision, unless there is evidence to the contrary.6

2.3.2 Recognise that some patients may have limited, impaired or fluctuating decision-making
capacity. As such, any assessment of capacity for health care decision-making is relevant to a
specific decision at a specific point in time.

2.3.3 Respect the patient’s ability to participate in decisions consistent with their level of capacity at
the time a decision needs to be made. This includes decisions involving their health care as well as
the use and disclosure of their personal information.

2.3.4 Recognise that some patients will have capacity to make a supported decision while others will
require a substitute decision-maker.

2.3.5 Recognise that a competent minor may have the capacity to make a specific health care
decision on their own behalf.

2.4 Patients’ family members, carers and significant others

2.4.1 Treat the patient’s family members, carers and significant others with respect.

2.4.2 Recognise that the patient’s family members and carers may also need support, particularly
where the patient’s condition is serious or life-limiting. Provide them with information regarding
respite care, bereavement care, carer’s support and other relevant services, where appropriate.

2.5 Clinical research

2.5.1 Endeavour to participate in properly designed, ethically approved research involving human
participants in order to advance medical progress.

2.5.2 Recognise that the rights and interests of the individual research participant takes precedence
over the interests of others including the research team, affiliated institutions, funders and the
broader community.

2.5.3 Make sure that all research participants are fully informed and have consented to participate in
the study.

2.5.4 Seek patient consent to inform treating doctors of the involvement of patients under their care in
any research project, the nature of the project and its ethical basis.

2.5.5 Respect the patient's right to withdraw from a study at any time without prejudice to medical
treatment.

2.5.6 Make sure that the patient's decision not to participate in a study does not compromise the
doctor-patient relationship or appropriate treatment and care.

2.5.7 Ensure that research results are reviewed by an appropriate peer group before public release.

2.6 Clinical teaching

2.6.1 Honour your obligation to pass on your professional knowledge and skills to colleagues and
students, where appropriate.

2.6.2. Before conducting clinical teaching involving patients, ensure that the patient is fully informed
and has consented to participate.

6
Legal definitions of capacity and capacity assessments may vary across jurisdictions.

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2.6.3 Respect the patient’s right to refuse or withdraw from participating in clinical teaching at any
time without compromising the doctor-patient relationship or appropriate treatment and care.

2.6.4 Avoid compromising patient care in any teaching exercise. Ensure that the patient is managed
according to the best-proven diagnostic and therapeutic methods and that the patient’s comfort and
dignity are maintained at all times.

2.7 Fees

2.7.1 Set a fair and reasonable fee having regard to the time, skill and experience involved in the
performance of your services, the relevant practice costs and the particular circumstances of the
case and the patient.

2.7.2 Recognise the importance of informed financial consent, ensuring that the patient is informed of
and consents to your fees prior to the medical service being provided, where possible. Where a
service you provide is in conjunction with other doctors or hospitals who will charge separate fees,
advise the patient of this and how they can obtain information on those separate fees.

2.7.3 Encourage open discussion of health care costs with the patient.

3 The Doctor and the Profession

3.1 Professional conduct

3.1.1 Practise medicine to the best of your ability, recognising and working within your ability and
scope of practice.

3.1.2 Build a professional reputation based on integrity and ability.

3.1.3 Recognise that your personal conduct may affect your reputation and that of your profession.

3.1.4 Take responsibility for your own health and well-being including having your own general
practitioner.

3.1.5 Continue lifelong professional development to keep your knowledge, skills and performance up-
to-date and improve your standard of medical care.

3.1.6 Keep up-to-date on relevant codes of practice and legal responsibilities.

3.1.7 Accept responsibility for maintaining and improving the standards of the profession.

3.1.8 Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with patients and their close family members, not
entering into sexual, exploitative or other inappropriate relationships.

3.1.9. Refrain from offering inducements to patients, accepting inducements from patients or
encouraging patients to give, lend or bequeath you money or gifts.

3.1.10 Report suspected unethical or unprofessional conduct by a colleague to the appropriate

authority.

3.1.11 Report any form of bullying or harassment of, or by, students, colleagues or other health care
professionals.

3.2 Working with colleagues

3.2.1 Treat your colleagues with respect and dignity.

3.2.2 Recognise colleagues who are unwell or under stress. Know how and when to respond if you
are concerned about a colleague’s health and take action to minimise the risk to patients and the
doctor’s health.

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3.2.3 Refrain from undertaking actions such as making comments which may unfairly damage the
reputation of a colleague.

3.2.4 Treat those under your supervision with respect, care and patience.

3.3 Referral to colleagues

3.3.1 Recognise your professional limitations and be prepared to refer as appropriate.

3.3.2 Obtain the opinion of an appropriate colleague acceptable to the patient if diagnosis or
treatment is difficult or in response to a reasonable request by the patient.

3.3.3 When referring a patient, make available to your colleague, with the patient’s knowledge and
consent, all relevant information and indicate whether or not they are to assume the continuing care
of the patient during their illness.

3.3.4 When an opinion has been requested by a colleague, report in detail your findings and
recommendations to that doctor.

3.3.5 Respect the central role of the general practitioner in patient care. Should a patient require a
referral to another specialist, ideally the referral should be made following consultation with the
patient’s general practitioner – except in an emergency situation. Any decision should be
communicated to the general practitioner in a timely fashion.

3.4 Working with other health care professionals and as part of a health care team

3.4.1 Treat other health care professionals with respect and dignity.

3.4.2 Ensure that doctors and other health care professionals upon whom you call to assist in the
care of the patient are appropriately qualified.

3.4.3 Work collaboratively with other members of the patient’s health care team.

3.4.4 Adhere to your responsibility in delegation and handover of care of the patient.

3.4.5 Recognise the role of other support services including translators, Indigenous community
members, religious, spiritual and cultural advisers.

3.5 Managing conflicts of interests

3.5.1 Ensure your financial or other interests are secondary to your primary duty to serve patients’
interests. Financial and other interests should not compromise, or be perceived to compromise, your
professional judgement, capacity to serve patients’ interests or the community’s trust in the integrity
of the medical profession.

3.5.2 Disclose your financial or other interests that may affect, or be perceived to affect, patient care.

3.5.3 If you refer a patient to a facility, or recommend a treatment or product in which you have a
financial interest, inform them of that interest and provide the patient with other options, where
possible.

3.5.4 If you work in a practice or institution, place your professional duties and responsibilities to
patients above the commercial interests of the owners or others who work within these practices.

3.6 Advertising

3.6.1 Confine advertising of professional services to the presentation of information reasonably

needed by patients or colleagues to make an informed decision about the availability and
appropriateness of your medical services.

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3.6.2 Ensure that any announcement or advertisement directed towards patients or colleagues is
demonstrably true in all respects. Advertising should not bring the profession into disrepute.

3.6.3 Do not endorse therapeutic goods in public advertising.

3.6.4 Exercise caution in endorsing non-therapeutic goods in public advertising.

3.6.5 Do not have any public association with products that clearly affect health adversely.

4. The Doctor and Society

4.1 Responsibility to society

4.1.1 Participate in activities that contribute to the health of the community and the wider public
health. These can include matters relating to health education, environmental protection, public health
and legislation impacting on health.

4.2 Professional autonomy and clinical independence

4.2.1 Uphold professional autonomy and clinical independence and advocate for the freedom to
exercise professional judgement in the care and treatment of patients without undue influence by
individuals, governments or third parties.

4.2.2 Refrain from entering into any contract with a colleague or organisation which you consider may
conflict with your professional autonomy, clinical independence or your primary obligation to the
patient.

4.2.3 Recognise your right to refuse to carry out services which you consider to be professionally
unethical, against your moral convictions, imposed on you for either administrative reasons or for
financial gain or which you consider are not in the best interests of the patient.

4.2.4 Alert appropriate authorities when the health care service or environment within which you work
is inadequate or poses a threat to health.

4.2.5 The doctor who reasonably believes that significant harm will occur to the public as a result of
the delivery or non-delivery of health care, despite the process mentioned in paragraph 4.2.4, would
be open to taking whistleblowing action. Contemporary protections for whistleblowers should be
supported by doctors.

4.3 Health standards, quality and safety

4.3.1 Participate in risk management, quality assurance and improvement activities.

4.3.2 Accept a share of the profession’s responsibility to society in matters relating to the health and
safety of the public, health education and literacy and legislation affecting the health of the
community.

4.3.3 When providing scientific information to the public, recognise a responsibility to give the
generally held opinions of the profession in a form that is readily understood. When presenting any
personal opinion which is contrary to the generally held opinion of the profession, indicate that this is
the case.

4.4 Stewardship

4.4.1 Practise effective stewardship, the avoidance or elimination of wasteful expenditure in health
care, in order to maximise quality of care and protect patients from harm while ensuring affordable
care in the future. Remember, however, that your primary duty is to provide the patient(s) with the
best available care.

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4.4.2 Practise effective stewardship in any setting in which your work, whether clinical, research or
administrative.

4.4.3 Use your knowledge and skills to assist those responsible for allocating health care resources,
advocating for their transparent and equitable allocation.

4.5 Medico-legal responsibilities

4.5.1 Recognise your responsibility when preparing medico-legal documents such as medical
certificates or independent medical assessments. The information you provide must be honest,
accurate and not misleading.

4.5.2 Recognise your responsibility to assist the courts, tribunals (or similar forums) by providing
informed, fair opinion based on impartial, expert evidence when reasonably called upon to do so.

4.5.3 Ensure the patient understands your medico-legal role and responsibilities as it relates to their
care.

4.6 Health equity and human rights

4.6.1 Endeavour to improve the standards and quality of, and access to, medical services in the
community.

4.6.2 Provide care impartially and without discrimination on the basis of age, disease or disability,
creed, religion, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, criminal
history, social standing or any other similar criteria.

4.6.3 Do not countenance, condone or participate in the practice of torture or other forms of cruel,
inhuman or degrading procedures.

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