Social responsibility Dr Uma Kulkarni Social responsibility Changing

Social responsibility Dr. Uma Kulkarni

Social responsibility • • Changing role of the physician Roles of a physician towards the society Challenges/ Barriers Solution

THE CHANGING ROLE OF THE PHYSICIAN

Code of Hammurabi (2000 BC) Identified the responsibilities of the physician towards the patient He was rewarded or punished depending on the outcome of the treatment

The Hippocratic oath Sworn by new medical graduates of centuries even today Affirmations speak only about patient care Speak of the devotion to a teacher

The code of ethics of the American Medical Association (1847)

What is the responsibility of the doctor?

ROLES OF A PHYSICIAN

Role in Health care • Curative care • Emergency care • Preventive medicine • Holistic care

Role as a healer

Role in Health policies Need assessment Planning strategies Execution Monitoring of health programs • Appraisal • Feedback • •

Role in ensuring accessibility in health care

Role in ensuring affordability in health care

Role in ensuring equity in health care • Inequalities can be tolerated in clothing, shelter, recreation, transportation • But is it acceptable in health care?

Role in Medical education • Medical graduates • Medical specialists • Paramedicals • Laypersons • First responders

Role in scientific, ethical research

Role in sharing and disseminating knowledge • Scientific presentation • Scientific publication

Role in constantly updating knowledge • Through CME • Through scientific journals • Through workshops

Role in creating awareness among the public

Role of a physician as a role model • • Professionalism Responsible Ethical Legal Etiquette Honesty Discipline Punctuality

CHALLENGES

Corruption in health sector • “the abuse of public office/entrusted power for private gain” • an undeniable reality in the health sector • is arguably the most serious ethical crisis in medicine today • remains poorly addressed in scholarly journals and by professional associations of physicians and bioethicists Chattopadhyay. Corruption in healthcare and medicine: Why should physicians and bioethicists care and what should they do? Indian Journal of Medical Ethics Vol X No 3 July-September 2013

Impact of corruption in health sector • traps millions of people in poverty • perpetuates the existing inequalities in income and health • drains the available resources • undermines people’s access to healthcare • increases the costs of patient care • sets up a vicious cycle contributes to ill health and suffering Chattopadhyay. Corruption in healthcare and medicine: Why should physicians and bioethicists care and what should they do? Indian Journal of Medical Ethics Vol X No 3 July-September 2013

How to beat corruption in health sector • Engage in public discussions • Take a stand against unethical and corrupt practices in healthcare and • Ensure medicine for the sake of the individual’s well-being as well as for social good

Finances • National budget and allocation of budget for health services • Health insurance

NOT ALL THAT GRIM

The good image

Quality products now available in India

IS THERE A SOLUTION?

• Role of physician? • Role of WHO • Role of the government • Role of citizens