Copyright the Radiological Society of South Africa. January 2002

Preamble

Health providers are constantly under pressure from social, economic and ideological forces. It is therefore crucial that there are clear guidelines to allow fair allocation of resources, the identification of priorities and informed decision-making. Ethical practice would be the most important factor influencing decisions at all levels.

Ethics is the study of morality. It is the careful and systematic reflection and analysis of moral decisions and behaviour, whether past, present or future. Ethics and the law are not synonymous. Ethics usually has higher standards than the law and even sometimes requires challenging unjust laws. The law is often the minimum standard for ethical behaviour. What constitutes ethical behaviour could differ from individual to institutional to government level. Ethical issues bear upon the rights and wrongs of human decision-making and behaviour.

These guidelines, in the form of a 'Code of Conduct' have been developed by the Radiological Society of South Africa, for the use of its members.

These guidelines have been submitted to the Health Professions Council of South Africa for approval.