Code of Ethics
Preamble
The medical profession has long subscribed to a body of ethical statements developed primarily for the benefit of the patient. Likewise, The Albanian American Medical Society (AAMS) recognizes that its members have certain ethical obligations to their patients, profession, each other, as well as to the community and world at large. As a member of the medical profession, an AAMS member must recognize and respect these obligations.
The AAMS Code of Ethics strives to set standards and provide guidance for AAMS members in their professional activities, acting within the organization and in their provision of health care generally. The AAMS Code of Ethics sets forth the governing principles values, and beliefs shared by all members of AAMS, as well as the ethical behavior and standards of conduct expected in conformance with these principles and beliefs.
Relationship with Patients
When caring for patients, members must hold the patient’s welfare paramount and under no circumstances shall members place their self-interest above patient welfare. In all dealings with patients, members should act fairly, in good faith, honesty, and with compassion and respect for patient’s dignity and rights.
Members should practice medicine within the scope of their training experience, and license, should not accept lay interferences in professional medical matters, should seek appropriate consultation for problems that are beyond their competence, and should provide appropriate supervision for trainees.
Members should use their best efforts to protect patients from harm by recommending and providing care that maximizes anticipated benefits and minimize potential harms.
Members must make pertinent medical information available to patients to enable them to make informed decisions about their health care, and should respect patients' right to make final decisions about their own health care.
Members must maintain the confidentiality of patients' health information within the constraints of law, and should provide medical information to the patient's family in the public only within the consent of the patient.
Members must not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other basis that would constitute medically unjustified discrimination. Members should responsibly steward the use of health care resources under their supervision without compromising patient care and welfare
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Relationship with other professionals
Members should uphold the standards of professionalism, be honest in all professional interactions, and report to the appropriate legal, regulatory or peer-based entity health care professionals whose competence or professional conduct adversely affects the health or welfare of patients. Members should act fairly, in good faith, honesty, and respectfully in all their dealings with ancillary staff and other health care professionals.
Members experiencing substance abuse or physical or emotional/psychological impairment should seek appropriate assistance and limit their practice to ensure the impairment does not adversely affect the health or welfare of patients. Members who overuse substance abuse or physical or emotional psychological impairment in a colleague should counsel the colleague, and if the abuse or impairment persists, should report it to appropriate authorities.
Members should cooperate in legal, regulatory or peer-review processes in connection with alleged incompetence or unprofessional conduct, whether their own or that of the other members.
Relationship with AAMS
Members serving on behalf of AAMS or in any other professional capacity shall endeavor to base their opinions and decisions on objective data, both published and form personal experience, and avoid bias.
Members should honor their fiduciary, legal and professional obligations in serving their professional organization. Members should work toward the attainment of the mission and objectives of AAMS.
Relationship to the Community
Members involved in the conduct of research on human subjects should comply with all institutional and governmental regulations pertaining to such research.
When conducting a clinical investigation, members must demonstrate the same concern for welfare, safety and comfort of the human subjects as is required of a physician who is caring for a patient independently of any investigation.
Members should report patient abuse, neglect or harassment to the appropriate authorities. Members should be involved in the community and should support policies and changes that are in the best interests of patients and health care generally.
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Responsibility for Life-Long Learning
Members should be actively involved in continuing medical education activities to ensure the continual development of their skills, training, and expertise.
Members should maintain their professional qualifications through continuous study consistent with evidence-based scientist practice.
Conflict of Interest
Members should strive to identify and resolve potential and actual conflicts of interest in their professional practices and service to AAMS. if a conflict cannot be adequately resolved, then the member should withdraw from the relationship.
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Tactless Behavior
As the credibility of the society hinges on the veracity of each of its members, members shall strive to act with legitimacy and integrity.
Those who do not behave in a professional and ethical manner will serve consequences. Upon review by the AAMS Board Of Directors, the society will terminate their membership and report their behavior to the state of their respective medical boards.
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