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NMC's New Regulations: Doctors Allowed To Decline Treatment for 'Abusive' and 'Violent' Patients

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Emedinexus    13 August 2023

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has implemented a policy allowing medical practitioners to decline treatment to abusive and violent patients or their relatives, with the condition that patients are not abandoned. This initiative is aimed at curbing instances of violence against doctors. 

 

According to data from 2019, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has indicated that as many as 75% of doctors have faced workplace violence. Among these incidents, close to 50% of violence occurred in intensive care units (ICUs), and approximately 70% involved the active participation of the patients relatives. 

 

The new regulations from the NMC enable doctors to decline treatment for patients displaying abusive, unruly, or violent behavior. In such cases, the registered medical practitioner (RMP) is permitted to document and report the behavior while refusing to provide treatment. The patient is then recommended to seek further treatment elsewhere. 

 

The regulations stipulate that doctors can refuse to treat or continue treating a patient if the fees specified are not paid. This exception does not apply to doctors in government service or emergencies, but ensuring that patients are not left without care is vital. The attending registered medical practitioner is held accountable for their actions and is entitled to appropriate fees. 

 

Furthermore, the regulations mandate that any requests for medical records directed to an RMP responsible for patient forms in a hospital, whether by the patient or an authorized attendant, must be acknowledged promptly. The documents must then be provided within five working days, a change from the previous provision of 72 days.

 

(Source:https://www.outlookindia.com/national/doctors-can-now-refuse-to-treat-abusive-violent-patients-nmc-issues-new-regulations-news-309888 )

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