According to the Medical Council of India (now National Medical Commission) regulations, which of the following constitutes a breach of professional conduct that may lead to suspension or cancellation of medical registration?

Explanation

## Professional Conduct & Medical Ethics **Key Point:** The Medical Council of India (now National Medical Commission) Code of Medical Ethics explicitly prohibits physicians from prescribing unnecessary investigations, treatments, or procedures motivated by financial gain or self-interest. This is a fundamental breach of professional conduct. **High-Yield:** Violations that lead to disciplinary action include: - Unnecessary investigations or treatments for financial benefit - Advertising in a misleading or false manner - Abandoning patients without reasonable cause - Breach of patient confidentiality - Practicing while unfit due to illness or substance abuse - Sexual misconduct with patients **Clinical Pearl:** The principle of "primum non nocere" (first, do no harm) and patient autonomy are central to professional conduct. Unnecessary procedures violate both the patient's trust and the principle of beneficence. **Mnemonic:** CONDUCT — **C**onfidentiality maintained, **O**ver-treatment avoided, **N**ecessary referrals made, **D**uty of care upheld, **U**nethical advertising prohibited, **C**ase records maintained, **T**ransparency in practice [cite:Medical Council of India Code of Medical Ethics]