Live broadcast of surgeries not for promotion: NMC
The Statesman | 1 August 2025
In its strict advisory the National Medical Commission (NMC), sole regulatory body monitoring medical education and ethics across the country, says that live broadcasts of surgeries should not be used for promotion of the operating surgeon, hospital and product brand.
The NMC in its detailed guidelines issued on 26 July to regulate the conduct and broadcast of live surgeries also said that the operating surgeons should not have a financial or commercial interest in the medical equipment or devices used during surgical procedures.
The guidelines also make it clear that the patient’s consent must be taken before such procedure is performed by the concerned surgeon or team. The patient has the right to withdraw consent at any time.
The commission maintained that it’s in favour of promoting recorded video, wet lab, cadaveric, and simulation-based surgeries as they entail no risk to the patient.
While issuing specific guidelines for patient selection issue, the medical commission has also stated that patients who require high-risk surgical procedures with incomplete investigations or unusual anatomy should not be included in live broadcasts of surgeries.
It also categorically makes it clear that no financial incentives should be given for participation in the live show of the process.
Also, complications and risks associated with live broadcasts should be addressed through stringent regulations and insurance coverage.
It added that live broadcasts can be provided for new procedures, while recordings should be preferred for established procedures or high-risk cases.
“Patients should be medically fit and have no contraindications to the surgery/procedures. Patients can be enrolled in insurance coverage to safeguard against any unforeseen incidents during live surgery/ procedures. However, patients should be informed about the availability and limitations of this insurance. Any surgery/ procedure-related complications should be managed free-of-cost,’’ it said.
The NMC guidelines also add that during surgery or procedures, the operating surgeon can broadcast but should not interact with the audience in order to maintain focus on the patient’s safety. “Relevant step-wise live commentary by an operating surgeon can be permitted without any two-way communication with the audience in special situations,’’ the guidelines state.
Surgeons are responsible for adhering to professional and ethical standards during the live broadcast, the NMC has said, adding that they must prioritise patient welfare over any other considerations.
Surgeons are also required to be involved in pre-operative discussions, and post-operative treatment for at least 24 hours after the surgery or procedures.
Additional recommendations include live broadcasts strictly serving educational purposes, and not involving commercial gain or promotion. Surgeons should avoid glorification, and the focus should be on surgical techniques and patient care.
Recordings of procedures should be used for educational purposes in closed groups, with live demonstrations reserved for vetted new procedures, and unedited recordings of the procedure preserved for at least two years, if there is no legal issue.