Statement of Ethics

ACAM's CODE OF ETHICS

The medical profession has long subscribed to a body of ethical statements developed primarily for the benefit of the patient. As a member of this profession, a physician must recognize responsibility to patients first and foremost, as well as to society, to other health professionals, and to self. The following Code of Ethics adopted by the American College for Advancement of Medicine (ACAM) are not laws, but standards of conduct which define the essentials of honorable behavior for the Complementary, Alternative and Integrative Medicine (CAIM) member physician.

A CAIM Practitioner shall:

  1. Be dedicated to providing competent medical care, with compassion and respect for human dignity and rights.
  2. Uphold the standards of professionalism, be honest in all professional interactions, and strive to report physicians deficient in character or competence, or engaging in fraud or deception, to appropriate entities.
  3. Respect the law and also recognize a responsibility to seek changes in those requirements which are contrary to the best interests of the patient.
  4. Respect the rights of patients, colleagues, and other health professionals, and shall safeguard patient confidences and privacy within the constraints of the law.
  5. Continue to study, apply, and advance CAIM scientific knowledge, maintain a commitment to medical education, make relevant information available to patients, colleagues, and the public, obtain consultation, and use the talents of other health professionals when indicated.
  6. In the provision of appropriate patient care, except in emergencies, be free to choose whom to serve, with whom to associate, and the environment in which to provide medical care.
  7. Recognize a responsibility to participate in activities contributing to the improvement of the CAM community and the betterment of public health.
  8. Care for the patient and regard responsibility to the patient as paramount.
  9. Support access to CAIM medical care for all people.
  10. Comply with state laws regulating compounding pharmacy.
  11. Seek to optimize treatment outcomes by providing clinical services to patients
  12. Associate with organizations having as their objective the betterment of the CAIM profession and should contribute time and funds to carry on the work of the organization.