Ethics for pathologist is explained from very highly experienced educationist

1. Ethics for Pathologists

2. • Preamble
• Mission Statement
• Code of Ethics
• Conduct of a Pathologist
• Role of Standing Committee on Ethics
• Definitions
• Standing Committee on Ethics 2010
• College Committees

3. Ethics For pathologists
• Ethics form the basis of all meaningful and
acceptable human activities
• Pathology and Pathologists need a code of
their own
• First attempt for a specialty to provide a code
of ethics for its members

4. Mission Statement
An ethical and moral organization

5. Objectives
• Committed to the highest standards of ethical
conduct
• Create environment for active and enthusiastic
contributions by its members
• Adhere to the strict criteria of justice and merit
• Serve as an example of honesty ,integrity and
uprightness
• Abide by the established codes of ethics

6. Code of ethics
Applicability
• Binding on the CPP and all its
Fellows/Members
• notified and will be made available to all
pathologists
• Complied as a guideline for appropriate
conduct

7. Code of ethics
No rights created
• A statement of certain fundamental principles,
policies and procedures
• No rights created in any employee, customer,
supplier, competitor and shareholder

8. Code of ethics
Integrity
• Personal and Professional integrity
• Promote values of Truth , Accuracy and
Accountability
• Accuracy of all information will be ensured

9. Code of ethics
Accountability
• Self and organizational accountability
• Responsible for all our professional acts
• Mechanisms devised to monitor and promote
good management
• All local and national laws and regulations
governing practice of medicine followed faithfully

10. Code of ethics
Conflicts of interest
• No judgment on any professional activity
compromised by personal or financial
considerations
• All known or potential conflicts disclosed to
stakeholders

11. Code of ethics
Advertising
• Disseminate information to public about
pathology and its role in patient care
• Advertising conform to the high standard
expected of a physician
• Nameplates/Signboards would not be large
or misleading
• Opinion of the Ethics Committee sought

12. Fund raising & commercial
interests
• Aim of serving humanity and welfare of the
patient through better diagnosis
• Coercive practices for fund raising not
permitted
• A Pathologist expected to select products and
equipment by employing independent and
impartial judgment

13. Professional relationship
• Respect and consideration at all times
• Diversity encouraged in all activities
• No tolerance for discrimination or harassment

14. Privacy and confidentiality
• Any information will not be communicated in
an unauthorized manner
• Disclosure permissible for fulfilling legal
requirements/benefit of the patient
• Laboratory reports and records of the patient
released by written consent of
patient/authorized representative

15. Informed consent
• Written informed consent may not be
required in all cases
• Patient reporting for test in a lab would
indicate implied consent

16. Second consultation
• A second opinion from professional colleagues
• Provide all material under his possession or
control for such opinion
• Care exercised not to affect the reputation of the
original consultant

17. Research and publications
• Provide protection to the life/well being of any
human subject included in the research project
• Subjects informed about the aims, methodology
and possible hazards
• Subjects afforded opportunity to withdraw from the
project
• Result of research whether favorable or not will not
be suppressed
• Guide students and clinicians toward proper
scientific and unbiased diagnostic and research
methodologies
• Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable

18. Respect for patients, laboratory
specimens and tissue
• All laboratory samples, tissue and all human
and animal remains are treated with due
respect at all times

19. Use of pathology
• Dedicated for the welfare of patients and of all
mankind only
• Employment for other purpose which could
cause harm is not permissible

20. Adherence to code of ethics for
physicians
• CPP, its Fellows and Members will also comply
with any code of ethics for medical profession
approved by the College

21. Conduct of a pathologist
• In the light of above general principles and guidelines, the following conduct is expected
from a Pathologist
• 1) He or she will be upright and honest in all affairs
• 2) Will not engage in any immoral and unethical practice of pathology or medicine
• 3) Will choose the most appropriate equipment and reagents based on merit
• 4) Will not accept bribe in any form and kind
• 5) Will try to stop all unethical practices and corruption
• 6) Will not engage in kickbacks and commissions in luring the tests for his or her private
laboratory.
• 7) Will not use the hospital laboratory for promotion of his/her private practice
• 8) Will not give a false impression about his qualifications
• 9) Will not use students and other subordinates to promote his/her private practice
• 10) Will not hire under or unqualified personnel at his/her laboratory
• 11) Will not compromise the standards of the laboratory; public or private
• 12) Will observe the highest possible Total Quality Management System
• 13) Will safeguard the interest of the patients
• 14) Will not encourage unnecessary and costly tests
• 15) Will treat patients as human beings with due respect and honor
• 16) Will not remain silent or indifferent seeing wrongs in medical and pathology practice

22. • 17) Will speak up for the truth and for the ethical values and resist all wrong doings
• 18) Will not engage in any form of nepotism and favoritism
• 19) Will not pass or fail students on recommendations , personal and institutional
biases
• 20) Will not leak out questions, papers or give other hints to favor certain candidates
• 21) Will do his/her utmost to be punctual, dutiful, careful and honest while
performing duties
• 22) Will not resist in seeking second opinions by the patients
• 23) Will not ridicule or intimidate the fellow colleagues
• 24) Will not accept any gift from students or their friends and relatives
• 25) Will be enthusiastic in promoting genuine research and teaching
• 26) Will constantly try to gain new knowledge and sharpen skills
• 27) Will try to do frequent self accountability
• 28) Will be helpful to the colleagues in terms of consultation, opinions and all positive
considerations
• 29) Will be respectful to all seniors and juniors
• 30) Will not sabotage the systems by conniving and concealments
• 31) Will not include his/her name in a research or paper in which he/she has not
contributed quite significantly
• 32) Will help students in their research and work, keeping their best interest in view.

23. Role of standing committee
on ethics
• The Committee would comprise pathologists ,physician and non physicians of known high
integrity
• College Council will refer policy issues which require examination from the ethical stand point to
the Committee for its recommendations .
• The Committee would make suitable recommendations to ensure that the College and its
Members/Fellows function on solid ethical and moral grounds in all its aspects i.e.
administration, education, examination, research, elections and all other functions
• The Committee will examine cases of individuals or institutions in conflict with code of ethics
referred by the College ,Member/Fellow, any individual or institution.
• The Committee on referral of any breach of the Code of Ethics would carry out necessary and
appropriate inquiries providing right of hearing to the accused party. It will give
recommendations to the Council for appropriate actions and penalties, if any .
• The committee will be guided in its deliberations and recommendations by the following
guidelines.
– It would not let quackery and unscientific methods contaminate the pure research
– It would safe It would not allow greed orientation and corruption seep in the disciplines of Pathology
– guard the human rights and not let them be subjected to un-informed/dangerous or unsafe procedures
and practices
– The Committee will safeguard the animals and plants rights by promoting ethical values in laboratory
procedures and environment

24. Definitions
• “College” means the College of Pathologists Pakistan
• “Council” means the Council of the College of Pathologists Pakistan
• “Committee” means a committee established by the College under the prescribed
rules.
• “Executive Committee” means Executive Committee of the College
• “Fellow” means a Fellow of the College.
• “Government” means the Government of Pakistan.
• “Laboratory” means a pathology laboratory as recognized by the College
• “Pathologist” means a qualified physician who has successfully completed a training
course in specialties or sub-specialties of Pathology as recognized by the College
from time to time, as the case may be.
• “Pathology” means the discipline including all its specialties and sub-specialties as
recognized by the College from time to time, as the case may be.
• “Specialty” means a sub discipline of Pathology as recognized by the College from
time to time, as the case may be.
• “Prescribed” means prescribed by College rules.
• “President” means the President of the College.
• “Physician” means a medical graduate holding MBBS degree or its equivalent as
recognized by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council established under the
Medical and Dental Council Ordinance, 1962 (XXXII of 1962).

25. Preamble
• Pathology is the basis of modern medicine
• It is the very foundation of good patient management; hence its
own health and strength is of utmost importance
• Human beings are the supreme creature on earth
• Their position is not due to physical strength of their body or even
because of their high mental capabilities
• It is due to their unique values based on high morals and ethics
• A highly intelligent but corrupt mind can lead to worst disasters
• A sound mind ,a healthy body and suitable ethical environment
should be the requirements for the practice of pathology
• The onus lies on pathologists themselves to create conditions
which satisfy these requirements

26. • In view of the important role played by ethics
in conduct of a pathologist, College of
Pathologists Pakistan decided to formulate the
Ethics Code for the practice of Pathology in all
its dimensions and horizons.
• The Standing Committee on Ethics was
assigned the task to develop and implement
the code.