MCI to draft guidelines on online doctors promotions
With the growing use of online media for the purpose of information as well as advertisement, Medical council of India has indicated that soon it shall come out with formative guidelines on online promotions by medical practitioners. These would also include defined penalty and punishments in case of violations
Confirming this ,Dr Kishor Taori, MCI's ethics committee member and president of the Maharashtra Medical Council, told Pune Mirror, "In the past year, we have received at least 10 to 15 complaints against doctors, clinics and those who forward promotional emails and advertise through the social media. This is definitely a violation of the code of medical ethics. As doctors, we are not allowed to advertise in any form. However, when the Act was formed many years ago, the online forum was not considered the most-used tool to reach patients. But now, doctors are doing precisely that. Therefore, we are formulating guidelines for strict action against such medics."
The penalty and fine are yet to be decided, he said, adding, "There has been an almost 10 per cent rise in complaints against doctors violating the code of medical ethics in the last one year. Also, known names are involved, who can work around the legalities. That's why we cannot name the websites and the violators." However, patients are nowadays relying on search engines and the internet to choose a doctor and the names that come on top of the list are preferred. "Patients should avoid such practices as one must look out for authenticity," Taori stressed.
Medical Dialogues team recently reported that Tamil Nadu Medical Council sent out notices to 25 doctors across 5 different specialties for listing their services with the online search engine practo . The state council has also indicated that the TNMC decided to launch an online registry of its own in view of helping out patients look for doctors
Read Also : Doctors cannot advertise online- TN Medical Council https://medicaldialogues.in/doctors-cannot-advertise-online-tn-medical-council/
Confirming this ,Dr Kishor Taori, MCI's ethics committee member and president of the Maharashtra Medical Council, told Pune Mirror, "In the past year, we have received at least 10 to 15 complaints against doctors, clinics and those who forward promotional emails and advertise through the social media. This is definitely a violation of the code of medical ethics. As doctors, we are not allowed to advertise in any form. However, when the Act was formed many years ago, the online forum was not considered the most-used tool to reach patients. But now, doctors are doing precisely that. Therefore, we are formulating guidelines for strict action against such medics."
The penalty and fine are yet to be decided, he said, adding, "There has been an almost 10 per cent rise in complaints against doctors violating the code of medical ethics in the last one year. Also, known names are involved, who can work around the legalities. That's why we cannot name the websites and the violators." However, patients are nowadays relying on search engines and the internet to choose a doctor and the names that come on top of the list are preferred. "Patients should avoid such practices as one must look out for authenticity," Taori stressed.
Medical Dialogues team recently reported that Tamil Nadu Medical Council sent out notices to 25 doctors across 5 different specialties for listing their services with the online search engine practo . The state council has also indicated that the TNMC decided to launch an online registry of its own in view of helping out patients look for doctors
Read Also : Doctors cannot advertise online- TN Medical Council https://medicaldialogues.in/doctors-cannot-advertise-online-tn-medical-council/
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