Good Medical Practice
Professionalism, Ethics and Law

Good Medical Practice: Professionalism, Ethics and Law encompasses the professional, ethical and legal requirements of being a doctor.

Kerry J. Breen (Author), Stephen M. Cordner (Author), Colin J. H. Thomson (Author), Vernon D. Plueckhahn (Author)

9780521183413, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 8 February 2010

464 pages
24.4 x 17 x 2.4 cm, 0.73 kg

'This book has been written by specialist practitioners representing both the medical and legal profession[s]. It covers the core curriculum for medical students and doctors - both training and qualified working within the Australian Medical Council. There is a comprehensive table of case law pertaining to each of the Australian states and these are used in the main text to illustrate decisions taken and the rationale behind such decisions. This book is a must for anyone going to practice in Australia.' Eleanor Freeman, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead

Good Medical Practice: Professionalism, Ethics and Law brings together information that is central to the professional, ethical and legal requirements of being a doctor. It covers a core curriculum for medical students, doctors in training and international medical graduates preparing for the Australian Medical Council examinations. A useful guide for busy doctors, giving sound advice for issues that arise in practice, ensuring that all approaches meet professional standards. Effective and compassionate practice depends equally upon good communication skills, an empathetic attitude, truthfulness, self-reflection and an awareness of the responsibilities arising under relevant laws. Good Medical Practice encapsulates these attributes and includes practice management, inter-professional relationships, sexual misconduct, complaints processes, the Australian health care system and doctors' health within its broad and comprehensive purview. Written by specialist practitioners with vast teaching experience, this is a unique, timely and accessible text that reinforces a contemporary focus on professionalism in medical practice.

1. Ethical principles for the medical profession
2. Ethical and legal responsibilities of medical students
3. Communication skills
4. Consent and informed decision making
5. Confidentiality, privacy and disclosure
6. Medical records, reports and certificates
7. Negligence, professional liability and adverse events
8. The regulation of the medical profession
9. Health care complaints systems
10. The doctor and sexual boundaries
11. Personal health of the doctor: illness and impairment
12. Maintenance of professional competence
13. Ethics and the allocation of health care resources
14. The Australian health care system
15. The doctor and interprofessional relationships
16. Entering and leaving practice and practice management
17. Clinical research
18. Prescribing and administering drugs
19. Diagnosing and certifying death and the role of the coroner
20. Births, reproductive technology, family law and child protection
21. Termination of pregnancy and related issues
22. Withholding or withdrawing treatment in the seriously or terminally ill
23. The law and the mentally ill
24. The law and courts of law in Australia
25. Medico-legal examinations and reports, court procedures and expert evidence
26. Other legislation relevant to medical practice.

Subject Areas: Health systems & services [MBP], Doctor/patient relationship [MBDP], Medical ethics & professional conduct [MBDC], Medical profession [MBD], Medical & healthcare law [LNTM]