GP fined S$5,000 for professional misconduct

[bumblebee]

GP fined S$5,000 for professional misconduct
By Mustafa Shafawi | Posted: 29 October 2010 1115 hrs
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SINGAPORE: A general practitioner has been fined S$5,000 and censured by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) for professional misconduct.

Dr Kay Aih Boon Erwin, who practices at the KCS Medical Centre at Blk 515, Bedok North Avenue 2, was found to have failed to treat his patients according to generally accepted methods of treatment.

He used a device called a Bioresonance Machine to treat his patients' smoking habits, allergies and behavioural issues as a result of autism.

Dr Kay pleaded guilty to the charge.

The SMC's disciplinary committee said any practitioner who wants to introduce a new method of treatment must undergo the requisite clinical trial in accordance with the Bioethics Advisory Committee's Guidelines for Institutional Review Boards for such treatment.

Unless that was done, a medical practitioner should not introduce or attempt novel treatments on patients.

In this context, the disciplinary committee said such misconduct by a medical practitioner was not a trivial one.

In mitigation, the committee noted that the use of the Bioresonance Machine was not invasive in nature.

There was also no evidence to date of any actual harm or adverse effect to any of Dr Kay's patients arising from its use.

Dr Kay was directed to immediately cease the use of the machine for the treatment of his patients.

-CNA/wk