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What doctors in India should know before going online
The National Medical Commission’s professional-conduct regulations restrict how registered medical practitioners in India may advertise. In practice, keep your website factual: name, qualifications, registration number, specialty, clinic addresses, timings and contact details. Avoid patient testimonials, before-and-after photographs, claims of superiority or guaranteed results, and anything that reads as soliciting patients; check the current regulations and your State Medical Council’s guidance before publishing. Patients in India commonly search Google Maps for clinics near them, check online doctor directories and ask on WhatsApp family groups, so keep your name, address and timings identical everywhere. Mention languages you consult in, as that matters in cities with mixed populations. Patient privacy obligations also apply: never publish identifiable case details or images without consent.
Common website mistakes doctors make
- Publishing patient testimonials or thank-you videos. These can breach NMC conduct rules; remove them and let verified qualifications and clear clinic information do the work.
- Leaving old OPD timings online after moving hospitals. Patients travel on that information, so update every location, day and time the same week your schedule changes.
- Using words like “best”, “top” or “100% cure” in headings. Replace them with neutral descriptions of the conditions you treat and procedures you perform.
- Missing the registration number and council name. Add them next to your qualifications so patients and referring doctors can verify your registration themselves.
- Inviting patients to describe symptoms in the website form. Limit the form to appointment requests and state clearly that it is not for emergencies or medical advice.