GMC consults on personal beliefs and medical practice guidance
A consultation on updated guidance detailing how doctors can practice in line with their beliefs and values, while maintaining good and safe care of their patients, has been launched today by the General Medical Council (GMC).
The regulator is seeking views on draft updates to its Personal beliefs and medical practice guidance, which will be applicable to all doctors, physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) working in the UK.
GMC guidance is designed to support registrants to provide good and safe care, and is reviewed periodically. This is the first significant update to this guidance since 2013, and is intended to reflect legal, social and cultural changes in the years since.
Personal beliefs can cover religious, moral or ethical concerns that might influence the way doctors, PAs and AAs practice. An example could be a conscientious objection to providing certain treatment or procedures.
If doctors, PAs or AAs do have a conscientious objection, the proposed guidance makes clear the patient must be prioritised, and that such an objection must not prevent someone being able to access the care or service they need.
The guidance has been updated to place an increased focus on talking to patients to understand what is important to them, which may include their beliefs and how those might shape their preferences and priorities about their care.
There is advice if a patient refuses a procedure or treatment because of their beliefs. In such cases their decision must be respected, even if the person treating them disagrees with it.
And if a patient requests care, treatment or a procedure that is not for medical reasons but instead related to religious beliefs or cultural practices, the draft guidance sets out the considerations that doctors, PAs and AAs need to make. These include ensuring they have appropriate consent, and that they possess the knowledge and skills to perform safely.
The updated guidance also covers registrants talking about their own beliefs with patients. It states that discussions should remain relevant to the patient’s care and treatment, should not breach professional boundaries, and that they must not impose their own beliefs and values on patients.
There is also new and updated content covering doctors, PAs and AAs talking to their employers about how their beliefs might influence their practice, as well as workplace interactions with colleagues.
The draft guidance has been updated by the GMC following extensive research, stakeholder engagement and expert advice on current best practice. It is now seeking views, in a three-month public consultation, after which it will publish a final version early next year.
GMC Chief Executive Charlie Massey says:
‘Personal beliefs and values – which might be religious, moral or philosophical – can be central to the lives of registrants as well as to their patients. It is important our guidance remains up to date, relevant and applicable across UK healthcare, and helps create workplaces that are respectful, fair, supportive and compassionate.
‘Our draft updated guidance, which we’re now seeking views on, has been developed using insights and expertise from across healthcare and beyond. Now we want organisations and individuals to give us their views, as those perspectives will help us make sure this guidance is clear and helpful.’
The GMC’s Personal beliefs and medical practice guidance relates specifically to professional practice. It does not cover people’s expression of their beliefs or values outside the workplace, nor how the regulator may investigate or act on any concerns that are raised.
People can take part in the consultation, which runs from now until Thursday 11 June.
