Ethics and Ethical Standards for Doctors

Ethics and Ethical Standards for Doctors is a CPD-accredited online course designed primarily for doctors working in the United Kingdom. The course supports doctors at all stages of their careers in understanding and applying ethical principles in line with General Medical Council (GMC) expectations.

It is particularly relevant for doctors facing complaints, investigations, or fitness-to-practise processes, as well as those seeking to strengthen ethical judgement, professionalism, and patient trust in everyday medical practice. The course is also suitable for senior medical students preparing for clinical practice.

Ethical concerns such as consent, confidentiality, honesty, professional boundaries, and the duty of candour are among the most common triggers for complaints and regulatory action against doctors. The GMC expects doctors to act with integrity, put patients’ interests first, and maintain public confidence in the profession.

This course provides clear, practical guidance on navigating ethical dilemmas, meeting GMC standards, and responding appropriately when things go wrong — helping doctors reduce risk and demonstrate insight, accountability, and professionalism.

This course is suitable for UK-based doctors, including:

• Foundation doctors, specialty trainees, and SAS doctors
• General practitioners and hospital consultants
• Doctors working in the National Health Service and the independent sector
• Doctors regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC)
• Practitioners facing complaints, investigations, fitness-to-practise proceedings, or remediation
• Senior medical students, particularly those undertaking clinical placements or preparing for foundation training

The course explores:

• The foundations of healthcare ethics and their relevance to medical practice
• Core ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and confidentiality
• The role of the General Medical Council in setting and enforcing ethical standards
• Good Medical Practice and its application in real-world clinical settings
• Informed consent and shared decision-making
• Honesty, integrity, and the duty of candour
• Accurate documentation and ethical record-keeping
• Professional boundaries, including digital professionalism
• Common ethical breaches in medical practice and their consequences
• GMC fitness-to-practise processes and regulatory responses
• Reflection, remediation, and continuous professional development

On successful completion of this course, participants will receive:

• CPD UK certified accreditation
• An accredited CPD certificate
• CPD evidence suitable for UK appraisal, revalidation, remediation, and professional portfolios

This course is aligned with the General Medical Council’s Good Medical Practice and associated ethical guidance.

It supports doctors in demonstrating ethical judgement, honesty, accountability, and fitness to practise — particularly where concerns have been raised about conduct, consent, confidentiality, or professional boundaries.

This online course is relevant to doctors working across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, in both National Health Service and independent healthcare settings.