Policy
ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ's Policies on Ethical and Social Issues
The Handbook of ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Policy is issued as a record of the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ’s stance on a variety of ethical and social issues. The issues are usually important factors in human health and are relevant to physicians worldwide. Some of the Declarations have needed revision in light of new knowledge or to improve the sometimes awkward wording that inevitably occurs when people of different tongues deliberate together. This dynamic process shows that the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ is a constantly evolving, unique organization, ideal to act as a protector of patients’ best interests, and as advocates for the medical profession.
We distinguish three types of policies*:
A Declaration or Statement reflects ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ policy on an issue considered to be of significance, to be universally applicable and embodying principles that endure over time. A distinction is made between a Declaration, which is broad in scope, and a Statement, which is limited in scope.
A Resolution expresses ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµâ€™s reaction to a specific, usually urgent, situation.
As of October 2024 we have 37 Declarations, 111 Statements and 57 Resolutions. All declarations and statements are reviewed at least every 10 years, and all resolutions are reviewed every 5 years.
In addition, the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Council can issue Council Resolutions to react publicly on urgent issues. When adopted by the General Assembly, they become ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ policy.
*According to the Procedures and Operating Policies of the ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ,ÌýChapter 4. Procedures for the Formulation of Declarations, Statements and Resolutions
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on Aesthetic Treatment (revised)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on Ageing (revised)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on Artificial and Augmented Intelligence in Medical Care
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on Conflict of Interest (revised)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on Dementia
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on Ethical Considerations in Global Clinical Electives (revised)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on Ethical Guidelines for the International Migration of Physicians (revised)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on Nuclear Weapons (revised)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on Obesity
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on Physician Mental Health Care
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on Physicians Well-Being (revised)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on Providing Health Support to Children in Street Situations (revised)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on Scope of Practice, Task Sharing and Task Shifting (revised)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on the Protection of Reproductive Health Rights of Women and Girls
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on Trans People (revised)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Resolution Calling on the Israeli Government to Comply with the Geneva Conventions and Other Applicable Instruments of Humanitarian Law
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Resolution on Ageing Physicians
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Resolution on Health Workforce at the World Health Organisation (WHO)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Resolution on Public Health Funding Worldwide
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Resolution on the Role of Physician Associates and Other Non-Physician Providers in the United Kingdom and Other Countries
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Resolution on the Use of Riot Control Agents and Human Rights Violations against Protesters in Turkey (revised)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Resolution to Uphold the Ethical Framework of Healthcare
Policies reaffirmed by the 229thÌýCouncil Session, Montevideo, April 2025 and the 230th Council Session, Porto, October 2025
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Statement on Injury Control (with minor revision)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Resolution on Abuse of Psychiatry (with minor revision)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Resolution on Academic Sanctions or Boycotts (with minor revision)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Resolution on Child Safety in Air Travel (with minor revision)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Resolution on Human Rights Violations against Uighur people in China
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Resolution on Standardisation in Medical Practice and Patient Safety
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Resolution on the Designation of an Annual Medical Ethics Day (with minor revision)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Resolution Regarding the Medical Profession and COVID-19 (with minor revision)
- ÌÇÐÄÊÓÆµ Resolution Supporting the Rights of Patients and Physicians in the Islamic Republic of Iran (with minor revision)
Policy Handbook English-Version 2025-1 (printed in January 2026; 15 MB)
