ANZAPNM Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct of the AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICIANS IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE (INC)
1. Preamble
In general, this Association adopts and endorses the ethical guidelines propounded by The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) in the 1991 manual, Ethics: A Manual for Consultant Physicians, and the ethical guidelines of the Royal Australasian College of Radiologists (RACR).
2. General Responsibilities
Upon referral of a patient for a Nuclear Medicine consultation, a Member of this Association shall be prepared to render a learned opinion based upon the performance of an appropriate Nuclear Medicine procedure in concert with clinical assessment of the patient including correlation with other laboratory information. All procedures shall be performed in a manner that is safe for patients, staff and members of the public. A timely report shall be issued and further investigation or treatment suggested when appropriate. A Member shall be prepared to administer Nuclear Medicine therapy and to assume responsibility for treatment if requested.
3. Referral of Patients
A Member shall examine or treat a patient only at the request of another medical practitioner. If a patient wishes to attend a Nuclear Medicine Physician other than the one to whom (s)he has be referred, a Member shall proceed only with the approval of the referring medical practitioner. If a further Nuclear Medicine procedure appears indicated after an initial examination, the approval of the referring medical practitioner should be sought.
4. Safety
A Member shall ensure that all diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are carried out in a manner that is safe for patients, staff and members of the public. The Member shall ensure that there is an adequate indication for the procedure to be performed and that the benefits of the procedure outweigh the potential risks, if necessary in consultation with the referring medical practitioner. Adequate radiation safety measures shall be observed and State radiation licensing regulations adhered to fully. Appropriate resuscitation and monitoring facilities shall be available when interventional procedures such as stress tests are undertaken.
5. Technical Aspects
A Member shall ensure that gamma cameras and other equipment and devices are technically adequate and in a state of maintenance sufficient for the performance of any procedure, and that staff are adequately trained and competent in their use. Quality control programs shall be established.
6. Physician Attendance
A Member (or, in the case of training institutions, a trainee Nuclear Medicine practitioner acting for and under the direct supervision of a Member) shall be present to assess the patient, prescribe and supervise radiopharmaceutical administration, direct the procedure, monitor the results of the procedure, and report the results.
7. Reports
A Member’s report shall be completed and made available promptly, particularly when urgent treatment is indicated. A Member should be prepared to consult with colleagues concerning the significance of the result of an examination when appropriate. If requested by a clinician for a second opinion, a Member shall not disparage the competence, skill or qualifications of another specialist.
8. Patient Information
The patient should be informed of the nature, duration and risks of the procedure. The primacy of the referring medical practitioner should be respected when a patient requests test results.
9. Continuing Education
A Member has a responsibility to maintain their clinical competence and to maintain current knowledge relating to his/her practice. This would imply a continuing involvement in appropriate educational activities. Members should also promote continuing education by technologists, physicists, radiochemists and other staff.
10. Financial Arrangements
Financial or other inducements to referring medical practitioners shall not be made.
11. Confidentiality
Confidentiality regarding reports and other patient information shall be maintained. Anonymity should be preserved in case presentations and in research.
Copies of reports, scans and other records should be stored securely and unauthorised access guarded against.
12. Research
A Member shall follow well-established ethical principles and standards of medical research, particularly those enunciated by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) in Australia and the New Zealand Health Research Council (NZHRC) in New Zealand. Members should particularly be concerned that radiation protection standards are adequate in any research in which they are involved.
When involved as an author, a Member should have a complete understanding of the content of any publication and must have made a significant contribution to the conduct of the research study. When not a principal investigator, a Member should be satisfied that the results are correct and that the data justify the conclusions.
13. Media
A Member should ensure that public opinions regarding Nuclear Medicine matters are balanced. Individual patients shall not be identified without their express permission. A Member should not seek to use the mass media for self-promotion.