Section 163. Practitioner-patient communication

A. Except as provided in § 32.1-127.1:03 F of the Code of Virginia, a practitioner shall accurately present information to a patient or his legally authorized representative in understandable terms and encourage participation in decisions regarding the patient's care.

B. A practitioner shall not deliberately make a false or misleading statement regarding the practitioner's skill or the efficacy or value of a medication, treatment, or procedure prescribed or directed by the practitioner in the treatment of any disease or condition.

C. A practitioner shall refer to or consult with other health care professionals, if so indicated.

D. Practitioners shall adhere to requirements of § 32.1-162.18 of the Code of Virginia for obtaining informed consent from patients prior to involving them as subjects in human research with the exception of retrospective chart reviews.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 22, Issue 01, eff. October 19, 2005.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.