As a corollary to the right of professional autonomy, the medical profession has a continuing responsibility to be self-regulating. In addition to any other source of regulation that may be applied to individual physicians, the medical profession itself must be responsible for regulating the professional conduct and activities of individual physicians. The World Medical Association urges its National Medical Associations to establish, maintain and actively participate in a system of self-regulation for the physicians in their respective countries. It is this dedication to effective self-regulation that will ultimately assure professional autonomy in patient care decisions. The quality of the care provided to patients and the competency of the physician providing that care must always be a primary concern in any system of self-regulation.
Physicians have the expertise to make the necessary evaluations.
These evaluations must be used for the benefit of patients to assure them continued quality care by competent physicians. Included in this area of responsibility is the need to monitor advances in scientific medicine and the use of therapeutic regimens that are safe and effective. Experimental procedures must comply with the protections required by the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki and other protections as may be required in each country. Discredited scientific theories must not be used on patients. Cost consciousness is an essential element of self-regulation.