Medical Ethics, Law, and Professional Regulation
Medical Ethics, Law, and Professional Regulation
This domain tests ethical reasoning, informed consent, confidentiality, scope of practice, documentation, and regulatory compliance in traditional medicine practice.
Core rules
- Competence and scope: practice only within your license, training, and setting; refer when the condition exceeds your scope or requires emergency care.
- Informed consent: explain diagnosis, proposed treatment, material risks, alternatives, and the right to refuse, in language the patient understands. Document consent and refusal.
- Confidentiality: disclose only with consent or where required by law-for example, certain communicable diseases, imminent harm, or child/elder protection.
- Records: contemporaneous, legible, dated, and signed; include history, findings, assessment, treatment, advice, and adverse events. Records support continuity and defense.
- Advertising and claims must be truthful; do not claim guaranteed cures or official endorsement. Report adverse events and follow infection-control and prescribing rules.
Worked example
A patient with a suspicious breast mass asks only for herbal treatment and refuses referral. Reasoning: respect autonomy, but explain the risk of delayed diagnosis, offer a timely referral, document the discussion, and arrange follow-up. Do not abandon the patient or coerce. Continue supportive care within scope while keeping the door open for medical evaluation.
Traps
Do not practice outside scope. Do not obtain consent with a signature alone without explanation. Do not breach confidentiality casually. Do not alter records after an adverse event; add a dated addendum. Do not make unverifiable advertising claims.