In quarantine situations, the actions of autonomous individuals are restricted to protect the health of the public. Physicians enforcing quarantine should be sympathetic and clear in communicating with those whose activities are being restricted.

In quarantine situations, the actions of autonomous individuals are restricted to protect the health of the public. Physicians enforcing quarantine should be sympathetic and clear in communicating with those whose activities are being restricted.

Clinical case examines physicians’ duties and risks during an epidemic. Commentaries address physician’s rights vs patients’ rights. Does the duty to treat always override personal or family concerns?

Clinical case examines physicians’ duties and risks during an epidemic. Commentaries address physician’s rights vs patients’ rights. Does the duty to treat always override personal or family concerns?

Clinical case examines the ethics of using an experimental drug in treating a patient who is dying from a SARS-like virus.

Review of a journal article that recaps the public health response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak beginning in December 2004 and the lessons that can be learned from it.

Physicians should understand the relationship between clinical expertise and cost consciousness in making their diagnoses.

A physicians urges practitioners to use cost-effective alternatives to dispensing samples to patients who cannot afford to pay for their prescriptions.

Physicians should incorporate a balance of evidence-based medicine with expertise and experience in their clinical decision-making processes.

Medical expertise includes knowledge of modern interventions as well as the incorporation of ethical considerations and patient goals as they relate to treatment decisions.