THE DOCTOR-PATIENT CONTRACT
WHAT I HAVE ALWAYS PLEDGED...
WITH AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT THERE ARE AREAS WHERE I FEEL THAT I HAVE FALLEN SHORT - THAT I RECOGNISE THAT - AND THAT I REMAIN REFLECTIVE AND ABLE TO CHANGE AND GROW
I will treat you to the best of my ability, knowledge and experience.
I will treat you as in individual. I will listen to you and respect your views.
I will not discriminate against you on the basis of your sex (how you identify), age, ethnicity/origin, creed/belief system, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background.
I will always aim to work with reference to the evidence base and within my limits of competence and skill set.
When I don't know something, I will try to find answers.
I will try to see you when you are in need, though there are limits and constraints with which I must work.
I will endeavour to provide you with continuity of care and chronic disease management.
I will work with others in a team for your care.
I will try to be as active in prevention as I am in treatment.
First, do no harm.
Respect confidentiality.
I will keep my personal life at home, where it should stay, and my health well-managed and private.
I believe in the Declaration of Geneva:
“I will not permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation,
social standing or any other factor to intervene
between my duty and my patient;
I will maintain the utmost respect for human life;
I will not use my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat”
WHAT I EXPECT...
For me to work effectively, you need to be honest with me- and with yourself.
When we make a plan (a 'concord'), try to stick to it and if there are problems return to see me early.
When we do something that needs a review- like a care plan, mental health treatment plan, organising tests- you need to do your best to come back for that review in a timely fashion.
I am your Doctor. I try to be friendly, courteous and professional. In return, please be respectful of my role and the constraints within which I work.
Manipulative behaviours and speech, or anything which leaves me feeling compromised, is not acceptable.
Please respect my privacy, and don't be offended that my being friendly and courteous does not translate into discussing my home life or health.
Patience. I bend over backwards for my patients. I am thorough. I try to sort out difficult situations and answer uncertain questions and needs. I may run late. I may be booked up with appointments. I don't discriminate - you might need the extra time that I am willing to put in, too. Please be understanding of how I work and of the needs of other patients, but know that I am always looking at systems to get things working best for me AND for you.
If I prescribe for you, be careful with that script and use it as intended.
Respect that I work within the Medicare and DVA systems with their rules and regulations, including on prescribing. Appreciate that I generally understand how the system works and what is reasonable. If I don't feel that doing something is either safe or reasonable or indeed legal, then acknowledge that I probably understand what I am talking about. If you think that I have it wrong, or you want to know why I am doing something in the way that I am- please just ask!
'Doctor shopping' will not be tolerated.
Violence or threatening language or behaviour of any kind is not going to be tolerated.
Discriminatory remarks and behaviours will not be tolerated in the consulting room.
