News Leaks: Medical ethics and doctor-patient relationship guidelines have been written into a draft meant to systematize medical practitioners’ performances, China’s health ministry said. The draft was posted on the ministry’s website Monday to solicit responses and views from society as well as professionals in the medical industry. According to the draft, practitioners in all types of medical institutions should follow the proposed standards, such as respecting patients, observing medical ethics, enhancing communication with patients and not illegally accepting money or gifts offered by patients. Xinhua said medical workers’ performances will be evaluated in accordance with the conduct standards and those who break the rules will be punished. Authorities said the conduct standards are of great importance as some of the current laws only mention prohibited actions without providing positive educational guidance or covering medical problems that have arisen recently. According to the health ministry, a total of 14,976 cases of medical disputes were handled by the country’s emerging third-party mediation organizations, and over 80 percent of these cases have been settled. Source: News Leaks, Image: flickr.com
