Medical Ethics and the Law: Indian Perspective

Abstract

It is now widely accepted that legal and ethical issues are fundamental components of medical practice when preparing for patient treatment. In light of the progressions witnessed in the realm of medical sciences and the escalating intricacy of the legal structure within contemporary society, coupled with the burgeoning cognizance of human rights and the ever-evolving moral tenets embraced by the broader community, medical practitioners and allied healthcare professionals find themselves frequently ensnared in predicaments spanning various facets of their routine professional endeavours. (Bag, 2014) Illustrative instances encompass the imperative to uphold the principle of informed consent, the obligation to veraciously communicate information, the ethical quandary of breaching confidentiality, the moral duty to disclose medical errors, the challenge of allocating scarce healthcare resources, the realm of biomedical research, and the complex domain of organ donation, among a plethora of other pertinent topics. Furthermore, it is noteworthy to acknowledge the growing apprehension within both the regulatory entities and the medical fraternity at large regarding the escalating frequency of grievances and litigations targeting medical practitioners. Based on the unfortunate experiences recounted by numerous physicians who have previously encountered complaints or legal actions, it is evident that a significant proportion of such incidents have arisen due to deficiencies in the realm of doctor-patient communication or an incapacity to identify and effectively manage clinical concerns. The field of