Section 1: Code of medical ethics

Doctors must protect medical documents concerning people they have treated or examined from any indiscretion, whatever the content or medium of these documents. The same applies to medical information which may be in his possession. When using his experience or documents for scientific publication or teaching purposes, the doctor must ensure that it is not possible to identify the persons concerned. Failing this, their agreement must be obtained.

The practice of mobile medicine is prohibited. However, when the needs of public health so require, a doctor may be authorised to provide consultations and care in a mobile unit according to a pre-established programme. The application for authorisation is sent to the departmental council in whose area the planned activity is located. The council checks that the doctor has taken all the necessary steps to respond to emergencies and…

In accordance with article L. 4163-5, it is forbidden to practise medicine under a pseudonym. A doctor who uses a pseudonym for activities relating to his profession must declare this to the Conseil Départemental de l’Ordre.

The practice of medicine normally involves the drawing up by the doctor, in accordance with the medical observations he is able to make, of the certificates, attestations and documents the production of which is prescribed by the legislative and regulatory texts. Any certificate, prescription, attestation or document issued by a doctor must be written legibly in French, dated, allow the identification of the practitioner from whom it emanates and be…

It is the doctor’s duty to take part in the continuity of care within the framework of the laws and regulations that organise it.

When participating in an on-call, emergency or on-call service, the doctor must make every effort to be reached as quickly as possible. To facilitate his work, he is authorised to affix a removable plate to his vehicle bearing the words “emergency doctor” to the exclusion of all others. He must remove it as soon as his involvement in the emergency ends. He must keep the patient’s usual doctor informed of…

Doctors must indicate on their prescription forms and other professional documents : 1° His surname, first names, professional postal and electronic address, telephone number and identification number in the shared directory of professionals working in the healthcare system; 2° His status with regard to health insurance organisations; 3° The speciality for which he is registered on the register or the qualification that has been awarded to him in accordance with…

I. – Doctors are authorised to include the following in directories for public use, regardless of the medium: 1° His surname, first names and professional address, the means of contacting him, the days and times of consultation ; 2° His status with regard to health insurance organisations; 3° The speciality in respect of which he is registered on the roll or the qualification awarded to him in accordance with the…

The doctor may display on a plaque at his place of practice his surname, first names, telephone number, days and times of consultation, his status with regard to the health insurance bodies and the speciality in respect of which he is entered on the roll or the qualification that has been recognised in accordance with the qualification regulations. He may also mention his titles, diplomas and functions recognised by the…

When setting up or changing their practice, doctors may publish advertisements in any medium, taking into account the recommendations issued by the Conseil national de l’ordre.