Statements, definitions and publications

This document provides general advice to employers (including DHBs and some PHOs) about their responsibilities as an employer of a doctor.

Our "Good medical practice" publication provides guidance to doctors on the standards of practice we expect.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) refers to therapies and treatments that are not commonly accepted in conventional medical practice, but are sometimes used alongside or instead of conventional medical treatments. This statement guides doctors in situations where their patients are using CAM, and outlines what we expect when doctors practise CAM.

This statement outlines how doctors should respond in an emergency and highlights a number of obligations that apply in that situation.

This statement outlines the rights and responsibilities of health care workers and infected health care workers in relation to transmissible major viral infections.

This statement outlines Council's expectations of doctors who perform cosmetic procedures. These include standards relating to training, skill and expertise, advertising and obtaining consent from the patient.

Resource limitation is a reality in health care, and for doctors, this often means prioritising based on clinical need and waiting lists. This statement guides doctors working in a resource-constrained environment by setting out ethical principles and practical advice.

Prescribing medicines and treatment is an essential part of medical practice. This statement outlines what good prescribing practice involves and the legal requirements doctors must comply with.

Certain medicines have the potential to enhance athletic performance or an individual's physique. We set out in this statement our position on doctors who prescribe, administer and supply performance-enhancing medicines, or who assist others in doing so.

Patients are entitled to information about their health and the care they are receiving. This statement outlines what we expect of doctors when helping patients to make an informed decision about their care and treatment.

Internet, email, and other forms of electronic communication are ways in which doctors communicate with patients and other health professionals, find information, and participate in informed discussion. This statement guides doctors on the use of email and other forms of social media.

Telehealth is the use of information and video conferencing technologies to deliver health services to a patient or to transmit information regarding that patient between two or more locations. This statement outlines our expectation of doctors who practise telehealth in New Zealand and overseas, and includes guidance on registration, conducting physical examinations and prescribing.

Doctor-patient relationships can come to an end for a variety of reasons, commonly when the patient moves to another area or chooses to see another doctor, but also when the relationship breaks down and either the doctor or patient decides to discontinue the professional relationship. We outline in this statement the process for discontinuing patient care, and the need to do so in a fair and professional manner.

Maintaining clinical records is part of good medical practice. Clinical notes are an important tool for managing the patient's care, and communicating with other doctors and health professionals. This statement guides doctors on what information they should record, and for how long they should retain patients' records.

Disclosure of harm refers to instances where a patient has been adversely affected as a direct result of receiving medical treatment. Open disclosure in this situation promotes transparency, can strengthen the doctor-patient relationship and is important for the health and safety of the public in general. This statement includes guidance on communicating with patients and their families when harm has occurred, and support avenues in those instances.

A doctor or patient may want another person present during a consultation. This could be as a support person or interpreter for the patient, an observer or chaperone for the doctor, or a student or trainee. This statement outlines factors to consider when a third party attends a consultation, and the obligations and rights of the doctor, patient, and third party.

The purpose of this statement is to protect the public from advertising that is false, misleading or deceptive, and to
provide guidance to doctors about the advertising of health-related products and services.

New Zealand has a culturally diverse population. Cross cultural doctor-patient relationships are common, and doctors must demonstrate the appropriate attitudes, skills and knowledge when dealing with patients whose cultures differ from their own. This statement outlines what it means to be culturally competent, and the cultural competence standards we expect of doctors.

To work successfully with patients whose cultural background may be different from their own, a doctor must demonstrate cultural sensitivity when interacting with patients. This statement outlines the attitudes, knowledge and skills relevant to doctors in their relationships with Māori patients and their whānau.

To develop trusting and therapeutic relationships with patients from different cultural backgrounds a doctor needs to demonstrate the appropriate attitudes, awareness, knowledge and skills. This booklet explains the cultural diversity and place of Māori in New Zealand, and provides general guidance on Māori cultural preferences and specific examples around key issues.

To work successfully with patients from different cultural backgrounds, a doctor needs to demonstrate appropriate attitudes, awareness, knowledge and skills. This booklet offers guidance on the cultural diversity and cultural preferences of Pacific peoples in New Zealand.

During the course of a medical career, a doctor may be involved in management or have a leadership role. This statement outlines the standards doctors are expected to meet when they take on such roles. While doctors in a leadership role have a duty to their workplace and the wider community, their first consideration must always be the interests and safety of patients.

All doctors have a duty to act on their concerns about a colleague, but doctors in management roles have an extra responsibility to ensure that there are appropriate reporting procedures in place, and these procedures are known to staff who may need to use them. This statement provides guidance for doctors who are concerned about a medical colleague's conduct, performance, competence or health, and provides suggestions on what to do and who to approach.

Inappropriate behaviour that adversely affects other staff members and teams from functioning effectively is unprofessional behaviour. This statement provides guidance on managing behaviour that disrupts team work, and responding appropriately to the health, competence and conduct concerns about a doctor.

Doctors are often asked to sign certificates for a wide range of purposes, such as confirming sickness, impairment or death. This statement outlines factors to consider, and the standards that doctors must follow, when issuing a medical certificate.

This statement outlines the doctor's responsibility to maintain sexual boundaries with patients, includes advice on what to do if boundaries are threatened, and offers guidance on sexual relationships with former patients and with family members of patients.

This statement outlines the doctor's responsibility to maintain professional boundaries with patients and covers the inherent power imbalance in the doctor-patient relationship, gifts, bequests and loans, other financial transactions, acting as a representative or enduring power of attorney, and social media.

Doctors are often asked for input by their family and friends. This may include requests for medical advice or a prescription, or more substantial involvement such as performing a procedure. This statement explains why doctors must avoid treating themselves and those they have a close personal relationship with.

Doctors are sometimes asked by a third party (such as an insurance company or ACC) to carry out medical assessments of patients. This statement explains the role of non-treating doctors and the standard of care expected of doctors within an assessing relationship.

Health related commercial organisations provide products and services for the public good, and also contribute to medical research and doctors' continuing professional development. The objectives of a commercial organisation are often different to those of a doctor, and it is possible that a doctor's interaction with a health-related commercial organisation might result in an unnecessary, inefficient, or inappropriate use of health resources, which has the potential to harm patients. This statement outlines our expectations when doctors interact with health related commercial organisations, including handling possible conflicts of interests.

This statement outlines the doctor's responsibility to maintain sexual boundaries with patients, includes advice on what to do if boundaries are threatened, and offers guidance on sexual relationships with former patients and with family members of patients.

This guide outlines what to expect when you see a doctor for a cosmetic procedure. It does not cover cosmetic procedures performed by other professionals – just doctors

This guide is intended to help you and your family work together with your doctor so that you get the best possible healthcare

The purpose of these principles is to provide a framework for good decision-making about complaints and notifications assessed and managed by the Council. The principles are not intended to cover every specific scenario but rather provide guidance in how complaints should be assessed and managed. The framework applies to the decisions of the Complaints Triage Team (CTT) and of Council.

Under the HPCAA, doctors can have their competence or performance reviewed at any time, or in response to concerns about their practice. This guide outlines what you can expect if you are undergoing a performance assessment

This document by Dr Ian St George, a former Council medical adviser, outlines the practice and theory of performance assessments. A range of topics are covered, from ‘How to identify an underperforming doctor’ to ‘Assessing the doctor who practises complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)’. It is particularly helpful for doctors wanting to avoid under performance and professional isolation.

This handbook is intended as a guide for doctors undergoing performance assessments and aims to provide you with an understanding of how performance assessments work,
and to ensure that there are no surprises for you throughout the assessment process

This pamphlet explains the role of a Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) and what to expect if your complaint about a doctor is referred to a PCC.

This pamphlet explains the role of a Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) and what to expect if you are referred to a PCC.

Our definition of the practice of medicine and clinical practice

Our definitions of clinical and non-clinical practice

Our definition of fitness to practise