Islamic Code of Medical Ethics

DOCTOR - PATIENT RELATIONSHIP

For the sake of the patient the Doctor was and not the other way round. Health is the goal and medical care is the means the "patient" is master and the "Doctor" is at his service. As the Prophet says "The strongest should follow the pace of the weakest for he is the one to be considered in deciding the pace of travel. Rules, schedules, time-tables and services should be so manipulated as to revolve around the patient and comply with his welfare and comfort as the top and overriding priority other considerations coming next.
That top-priority status is conferred on the patient because and as long as he is a patient no matter who he is or what he is, a patient is in the sanctuary of his illness and not of his social eminence, authority or personal relations. The way a Doctor deals with his various patients is a perfect portrayal of his personal integrity.
The sphere of a Doctor's charity, nicety, tolerance and patience should be large enough to encompass the paitent's relatives, friends and those who care for or worry about him but without of course compromising the dictates of "Professional Secrecy" Health is a basic human necessity and is not a matter of luxury. It follows that the Medical Profession is unique in that the client is not denied the service even if he cannot afford the fee. Medical legislature should ensure medical help to all needy of it, by issuing and executing the necessary laws and regulations.
In Private Practice the Doctor's fees are his lawful right and his earnings are legitimate. and his conscience is his censor, aware that God's eye is ever watching.