1. Introduction

This Doctor Conduct & Ethics Policy outlines the responsibilities, professional standards, and ethical guidelines for doctors providing telemedicine consultations via Tr 2nd Opinion (https://2nd.thinkroman.com). All registered medical practitioners (RMPs) must comply with this policy and adhere to the National Medical Commission (NMC) Code of Ethics and Telemedicine Practice Guidelines, 2020.

2. Eligibility & Registration

• ✅ Be a Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP) under the National Medical Commission (NMC), India.
• ✅ Have a valid NMC registration number displayed on their profile.
• ✅ Provide medical advice only within their licensed area of expertise.

3. Professional Conduct Guidelines

• ✅ Maintain professionalism during consultations.
• ✅ Respect patient confidentiality and adhere to privacy laws.
• ✅ Provide accurate, evidence-based medical advice.
• ✅ Prescribe medications only as per the Telemedicine Guidelines, 2020.
• ✅ Use clear, non-technical language to communicate with patients.

4. Prohibited Conduct

• 🚫 Provide misleading medical advice or overpromise results.
• 🚫 Prescribe narcotics, Schedule X drugs, or habit-forming medications.
• 🚫 Discriminate based on gender, caste, religion, or socio-economic status.
• 🚫 Solicit patients for in-person visits for financial gain.
• 🚫 Engage in inappropriate, abusive, or offensive behavior with patients.
• 🚫 Record or share consultations without patient consent.

5. Prescription & E-Prescription Guidelines

Doctors can prescribe medicines only from List A (permitted for telemedicine). Habit-forming drugs, narcotics, and Schedule X medications cannot be prescribed. E-prescriptions must include the doctor’s NMC registration number and be generated through the platform.

6. Handling Medical Emergencies

🚨 Doctors must advise patients to seek emergency care for life-threatening conditions.

🚨 Telemedicine is NOT a substitute for emergency care.

🚨 If a patient presents an emergency condition, doctors must:

• Advise immediate hospitalization or ambulance services (Call 108 in India).
• Document the emergency referral in the patient record.

7. Patient Confidentiality & Data Security

Doctors must not disclose patient information to third parties without patient consent. All consultations must follow DPDP Act, 2023, and IT Act, 2000 data privacy laws. Consultations must NOT be recorded by doctors or shared outside the platform.

8. Conflict of Interest & Advertising Restrictions

• 🚫 Advertise or promote specific brands of medicines for profit.
• 🚫 Engage in financial transactions with patients outside the platform.
• 🚫 Make claims that violate the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) guidelines.