App based patient referral system brought under notice of PM by surgeons body

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2022-02-05T12:05:54+05:30 | Updated On 5 Feb 2022 12:05 PM IST

App based patient referral system brought under notice of PM by surgeons body

Delhi: The Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India (AMASI) has brought an issue regarding the use of mobile apps for the refferal of patients 'without examination' to doctors in the notice of the PM.

According to the letter written by AMASI, " It jeopardizes adequate clinical judgment by a trained person regarding need for surgery and decision as to the type of surgery that would be optimum for the particular patient. The apps are made for the sole purpose of making money." Moreover, there are advertisements by such mobile app companies, in the social media, which may amount to vulgar abetment of gullible, inexperienced or naïve surgeons/doctors depicting them as saleable commodities as akin to the selling of slaves by putting a price on them and making the public choose the cheapest offer.

" This demeaning attitude and action of such companies is very detrimental to the self-image of the medical community and questions the very sensibility of Indian society. AMASI takes serious umbrage of such nefarious activities by these ill-meaning mobile apps", added the letter. Some hospitals are also in alliance with these mobile app companies which then direct unsuspecting patients to the hospital which pays maximum to the app company.

It also stated, " any member who has made such a contract should disengage immediately after receiving this notification failing which a member found to be in contract thereafter may be liable for disciplinary action by regulatory authorities." Moreover, in case of any litigation arising from such unholy alliance the member will not be defended by the association during the legal process by way of expert opinion or otherwise.

The association also suggested in the letter that adequate and widespread information should be given by the government media cell to the public to be aware of such touts in the digital world whereby they may suffer the burden of wrong treatment, money siphoning from them and subsequent harassment for life if proper treatment in the correct hands has not happened.

The Association citing the India Indian Medical Council (Professional conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations 2002 said this Regulation clearly states that:

"A physician shall not give, solicit, or receive nor shall he offer to give, solicit or receive any gift, gratuity or bonus in consideration of or return for the referring, recommending or procuring any patient for medical, surgical or other treatment. A physician shall not directly or indirectly participate in or be party to the act of division, transference, assignment subordination, rebating, splitting or refunding of any fee for medical, surgical or other treatment (Section 6.4.1)." It has also been emphasized that, "the physician shall not use touts or agents for procuring patients (Section 7.19)."

Demanding legal processes to quickly control this social evil, the association requested that all such mobile app companies may be removed from operating in India. National Medical Commission may be instructed for cancellation of registration of such hospitals that are is in connivance with these app companies and encourage their activities by way of paying back handsome kickbacks or giving cheaper offers, suggested the doctors' body.

Also Read:AIIMS Delhi develops mobile apps for patients dealing with chronic mental illness

Talking to Medical Dialogues, AMASI president Dr. Jugindra Sorokhaibam stated, " These aggregators assign surgeries to doctors after a patient use their app. However, such practices are unethical and highly risky. As there is no long-term association between the patient and the doctor, there was no time for the doctor to consider alternative ways of treatment for the doctor. Thus patients might be subjected to unnecessary treatment." He further informed that an emergency meeting was held on January 28 and it was decided that any member who has made such a contract should abstain from associating with such online platforms.

" Sir, PMJAY is a flagship program initiated by you. We very much believe that you had the poor population and their health in mind and appreciate your program for being one of its kinds in the world. But such third party interference to utilize the very insurance you provided to health care system at a cheaper rate defeats the very purpose of this noble program. Hence all auditing steps be introduced such that none can misuse and malign your benchmark program", stated the letter.

Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of IndiaAMASIamasiunethical practicemobile appprime minister

Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.