Uchunguzi (Journal Watch/Montre de Journal

Most states in the USA have ‘Good Samaritan’ laws that oblige doctors to stop and render emergency treatment under certain circumstances, without incurring legal liability even if they are negligent. Whether doctors are legally obliged to stop and render assistance at road accidents in most countries across the world remains controversial. In 1978, the South African Medical and Dental Council ruled that ‘in cases of emergency a practitioner is obliged to render assistance in all circumstances’. It has therefore been said that ‘where per- sons are in a situation where their life or health will be seri- ously endangered unless they receive immediate medical treatment, a practitioner who is available may not ethically refuse to attend such patients unless there are compelling cir- cumstances that prevent the doctor from acting’. The authors conclusion in this review provides a good guide that can be adopted by practitioners in countries with no ‘Good Samar- itan’ laws. Generally, doctors who are the first to come across injured people at a road accident should stop and render assistance unless they may be exposed to personal danger or injury if they stop, are mentally or physically incapable of rendering assistance, or other medical or paramedical practitioners are already present. Where there is the threat of personal danger to the doctors they must immediately report the accident to the police and advise them to send pro- tection and call for urgent ambulance assistance. They should remain near the scene until the police and ambulance arrive and check that paramedics are available to stabilise the injured before departing. Where there is the threat of danger, doctors are mentally or physically unable to assist or other medical or paramedical practitioners are at the scene, doctors may or may not be required to stop – depending on the circumstances.