Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria and Professional Discipline
What this domain tests
Questions test the MDCN Code of Medical Ethics as applied to scenarios, and the disciplinary route from complaint to sanction.
Core rules
- Four principles frame the Code: beneficence, non-maleficence, respect for patient autonomy and justice.
- Consent must be informed, voluntary and given by a patient with capacity; in an emergency, treat under the doctrine of necessity.
- Confidentiality is a duty, not an absolute: disclosure may be justified by patient consent, a court order, statutory notification of specified diseases, or an overriding public interest.
- Maintain professional boundaries, avoid discriminatory practice, refer when a matter is beyond your competence, and do not abandon a patient.
- Advertising and touting are prohibited; social media posts that identify patients or solicit patients amount to misconduct.
- Disciplinary route: complaint, Investigation Panel screening, Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, sanction; appeal lies to the Court of Appeal.
- Sanctions include admonition, suspension, conditional registration and striking off; restoration may be sought later.
Worked example
A doctor posts a before-and-after photograph of a patient's face on Instagram with a caption inviting bookings. Two breaches arise: confidentiality, because the image is identifiable and consent to treatment is not consent to marketing, and advertising or touting. The Investigation Panel finds a prima facie case; the Tribunal may admonish, suspend or strike off depending on culpability and insight.
Traps
- Saying confidentiality is absolute.
- Treating a complaint as the start of the Tribunal; screening by the Investigation Panel comes first.
- Forgetting that infamous conduct in a professional respect does not require a criminal conviction.