CODE OF CONDUCT 

Dean:

The multiple roles of the Dean such as Administrator, overall supervisor and guide for various academic activities. The codes applicable in the conduct of the Dean are the following:

• Should make efforts for the development of the institution by acknowledging the collective interest of different sections of the institution for a towering outcome
• Should treat all staffs equally and avoid discrimination such as favouring in terms of religion, caste, political, economic, social and gender characteristics
• Should maintain financial transparency in matters related to the institution
• Should inculcate standard professional behaviour among the staff members
• Should encourage the faculties to organize and participate in seminars, workshops, symposium and conference
• Should promote research activities and encourage scientific paper publications
• Should encourage extracurricular activities among the students to enhance self-esteem and team work.
• Should follow de-centralization practice to enhance confidence among employees
• Should take efforts to maintain an appropriate educational atmosphere and respect the fundamental rights of staffs and the students

Teaching Faculty:

A teacher is constantly under the scrutiny of their students and the society at large. SMMCHRI expects the following code of conduct from its faculty.

Teachers should present themselves in professional attire while on duty and shall keep their personal and work-places tidy and clean at all times and maintain cleanliness of the Institution.

Teachers should treat colleagues in the same manner as they themselves wish to be treated and consider non-teaching staff as equal partners.

Teachers to be in regular touch with the parents of the students and meet whenever necessary to discuss their performance and growth.

Teachers are to respect the right and dignity of the student in expressing his/her opinion, deal justly and impartially with students regardless of their religion, caste, political, economic, social and physical characteristics, recognize the difference in aptitude and capabilities among students and strive to meet their individual needs.

Teachers try to see through teachers’ bodies and organizations, that Institution maintain contact with the parents/guardians, their students, send reports of their performance to the parents/guardians whenever necessary and discuss in parent -teacher meetings convened for the purpose of for mutual exchange of ideas and for the benefit of the institution.

Teachers should also refrain from inciting students against other students, colleagues or administration.

To strengthen the community’s moral and intellectual life, take part in activities conducive to the progress of society, participate in community activities and shoulder responsibilities of public offices and refrain from any activity which promotes differences in the name of caste, faith, language etc.

Employees:

Employees should strictly follow the Institutions in and out timings  and after being marked present, the staff can leave the college for any work only with the permission of their respective head.

Any act of misconduct or breach of discipline or misbehaviour, negligence of duty, dishonesty, indiscipline, disobedience and other similar deficiencies shall render the employee liable for disciplinary action and punishment as follows:

1. Warning
2. Fine
3. Stoppage of increment
4. Demotion to lower grade
5. Suspension
6. Discharge from service

The order of suspension shall be in writing and shall take effect immediately. On communication thereof the suspended employee shall not during the period of suspension enter the university /college /hospital premises except with special written permission of the authorities of the institution. The order of suspension shall be reviewed pending an enquiry by the competent authority.

Prohibited activities: The institute prohibits tobacco, alcohol, drug abuse and gambling in any form inside the premises. The institute strictly prohibits employees and visitors from bringing any firearm into the institute premises.

Code of Ethics

The following Code of Ethics must be read, clearly understood and has to be strictly followed by all employees and students associated with the Sri Muthukumaran Medical College and Research Institute.

SMMCHRI is dedicated to excellence in the following areas:

1. Patient care as its top priority
2. Transformative education and training on par with international standards
3. Research and Innovation for global acceptance

Both the faculty and its students are required to follow this Code of Ethics in their interactions with patients, faculty members, students, trainees, other staff members and the general public in order to make SMMCHRI an incredible and inspiring Institution.

The Code applies to all SMMCHRI employees who are active in clinical, teaching, research, or administrative activities. Certain sections of the Code would be more specifically applicable to certain fields than others due to its wide scope. The clinicians, for example are aimed primarily with patients. Similarly, Academic and research ethics shall apply to all professionals engaged in teaching and research regardless of discipline or level of training. The student ethics are applicable to trainees at all levels irrespective of their course or school under SMMCHRI. General ethics means confidentiality, conflicts of interest, interpersonal relations and professional ideals apply to all members. When ethics and law appear to be in conflict, one should seek counsel through proper channel, one’s own professional organizations, or individually. This Code given below does not replace or supersede the policies and procedures of SMMCHRI.

Care of Patients

• Treat patients with humanity, humility and provide the right possible treatment ethically.
• Behave modestly and do not use unparliamentary language with patients.
• Maintain the patient’s best interests as the top priority at all times.
• If you take over care of a patient, you are responsible for them until the health issue is resolved.
• You have to hand over the patient to another physician if you are committed to other work.
• When you’re not on duty or on leave, make sure your patients are well taken care of by another doctor.
• Obtain information from the patient for all kinds of procedures, treatment protocols and diagnostic tests.
• Follow up on laboratory studies that have been requested.
• Complete medical information reporting in a timely and thorough manner.
• To present a cohesive and clear care plan, coordinate with your team the timing of information exchange with patients and their families.
• Don’t drink alcohol or use medications that may impair the quality of patient care.
• Building romantic relationships with patients is not permitted.
• Do not leave a patient alone.
• If you are unable or unable to continue caring for the patient, you must assist in referring the patient to another qualified doctor who is willing to do so.
• Do not withhold any treatment to a patient under any circumstances.

Respect for Humans

• Treat patients, co-workers, other health practitioners, other employees, students, and teachers with the same level of respect that you would expect from them.
• Kindness, gentleness, integrity, humanity, and fairness should be shown to patients.
• Patient’s dignity and modesty should be respected.
• When talking to patients, do not use derogatory words, either verbally or in writing.
• Do not harass others physically, verbally, psychologically, or sexually.
• Do not discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, race, disability, age, or sexual orientation.

Maintain Confidentiality

• Do not share the medical or personal specifics of a patient’s history, diagnostic or therapeutic regimen, or prognosis with others.
• Do not discuss patients or their illnesses in public places where the conversation may be overheard.
• Without sufficient reason and the patient’s permission, do not publicly recognize specific patients in words or in writing.
• Unauthorized individuals should not be invited or allowed into the Institution’s patient care areas.
• Do not give out your personal clinic passwords to someone else.
• If you don’t have a professional reason to know, don’t look up sensitive patient information.
• Do not photograph or videotape a patient without the patient’s written authorization.

Trust in Patient Well-being

• Be honest in both verbal and written correspondence.
• Acknowledge your omissions and commissions to your coworkers and patients.
• Clinical decisions should not be affected by psychological, institutional, or financial factors at the cost of providing the best possible medical care. Do not knowingly mislead others.
• Do not lie, plagiarize, or behave dishonestly in any way.
• Do not take advantage of benefits, such as charging personal expenses to SMMCHRI.

Professional Progress

• Be mindful of your own personal shortcomings and skills and ability gaps.
• Know when to seek supervision, help, or consultation, and from whom.
• Recognize when and for whom adequate supervision is needed.
• Both patient workups and instructions should be countersigned by adequate supervision for students and other trainees.
• When you’re sick, distraught, or overwhelmed by personal issues, stay away from patients.
• Do not participate in unsupervised activities in areas or circumstances where you have not received enough training.

Departmental Activities

• To patients and nurses, clearly define yourself and your professional level. When you’re in the patient room, wear your nametag.
• Dress neatly, cleanly, and appropriately for the job.
• Under the stresses of exhaustion, career demands, or personal issues, maintain a professional demeanour.
• Do not introduce medical students as “Doctors”
• Do not make any disrespectful or judgmental remarks in the patient’s chart.
• In the presence of patients or in inappropriate environments, do not question colleague’s medical decisions.
• When presenting adult patients, avoid using first names without permission.

Manage Conflicts

• When making clinical decisions, keep the patient’s best interests in mind.
• Accept no gifts of value from drug makers, medical equipment manufacturers, or suppliers that are not educational.
• Person reward schemes funded by drug and/or instrument firms should be avoided.
• Do not refer patients to laboratories or other organizations with which you have a direct financial relationship.
• Do not accept a kickback for any patient referral.

Respectful Behaviour

• Take the initiative to recognize and support disabled students, doctors, nurses, and other staff in rehabilitating themselves using all available services.
• Notify the right person about serious violations of the Code of Ethics.
• If you notice less serious violations, express your disapproval or seek effective intervention.

Ethics in Clinical Practice

• You are not obligated to conduct procedures (e.g., elective abortions, medical care termination) that you feel are immoral, unlawful, or potentially harmful to patients.
• However, you have a responsibility to advise patients and their families of all available treatment choices that are compatible with appropriate medical care standards.

Follow by Laws

• Adhere to the regulations and policies of SMMCHRI
• Observe all relevant laws and regulations at the local and state level.

Honesty in Research

• Observe the institutional rules that regulate research involving human subjects and animals, and do not conduct research that jeopardizes the health, welfare, or longevity of human subjects unnecessarily.
• In written and oral research presentations, disclose funding sources, company ownership, and other possible conflicts of interest.

Strengths in Clinical Practice

• Attempt to foster and put into practise recognized therapeutic values like compassion, empathy, fortitude, righteousness, honesty, and self-effacement.

Dedication

• Complete your duties to the best of your ability.
• If something interferes with the ability to perform clinical duties efficiently, notify the responsible supervisor.
• Learn from your mistakes and grow from the wisdom you acquire by acknowledging them and not repeating them. Dedicate yourself to lifelong learning and self-improvement by implementing a personal program of continuing education and continuous quality improvement.
• All assignments should be completed correctly, thoroughly, legibly, and on time by students and trainees.
• Except for justified absences, students and trainees can attend scheduled lectures, labs, workshops, and conferences.

Collective Responsibility

• In clinical activities, collaborate with other members of the health care team, and in research activities, collaborate with other members of the research team.
• At all stages of education and training, teach others.
• Give freely of your time to answer trainee’s, patient’s, and patient’s family members questions.
• Shoulder a fair share of the institutional administrative burden.
• Adopt a spirit of altruism and volunteerism while educating and caring for patients.

Personal Well-being

• Establish a life style of disease prevention, exercise, and outside interests to improve physical and emotional wellbeing and maximize professional success to the extent possible in the current sense of your personal and professional life.

Public Well-being

• Avoid spending money on health insurance that isn’t appropriate for the patient or the community.
• Never restrict individual patient treatment in some way to save money.
• Regardless of their willingness to pay, provide care to all patients.
• Speak out on all social or public health problems where medical expertise is important, within the limits of your personal competence and interests.