Can a doctor advertise to solicit patients?

New Delhi, September 14, 2018 :                                                                Representational Image

No, it is unethical for doctors to advertise in order to procure patients. The physician or the medical practitioner cannot advertise his medical practice which has the effect of advertising himself or soliciting practices.

• As per the provisions of Clause 6.1.1 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, soliciting of patients directly is unethical. Further, as per the provisions of Clause 6.1.1 of Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, the medical practitioner is only allowed to make formal announcement in the press about his starting practice, change of type of practice, change in address, etc. and nothing else.

• Also, as per the provisions of Clause 6.1.2 of Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, printing of self-photograph, or any such material of publicity in the letter head or on sign board of the consulting room or any such clinical establishment is regarded as acts of self-advertisement and unethical conduct on the part of the physician. However, printing of sketches, diagrams, picture of human system is not treated as unethical.

• Further as per the provisions of Clause 7.11 of Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, the physician is not allowed to contribute to lay press articles and give interviews regarding diseases and treatments which may have the effect of advertising himself or soliciting practices.

The Author of this article is Dr KK Aggarwal and Advocate Ira Gupta