US attitudes toward aging drive patient demands for elective medical and surgical services. Ethical physicians must make sure patients have realistic expectations.

Clinical case and commentary on how physicians should respond when confronted by medication requests from parents of children with mood and concentration disorders.

False clinical and ethical dilemmas may be created when physicians ignore patient characteristics and contexts that are integral to shared decision making.

Benefits and risks of outpatient commitment are a means for managing mental illness in patients who are homeless.

Benefits and risks of outpatient commitment are a means for managing mental illness in patients who are homeless.

Social determinants and freedom situate newcomers’ capacity for well-being.

Physicians need to inform parents about the limited effectiveness of growth hormone therapy in satisfying the treatment goals of children with idiopathic short stature.

Physicians need to inform parents about the limited effectiveness of growth hormone therapy in satisfying the treatment goals of children with idiopathic short stature.

Physicians need to inform parents about the limited effectiveness of growth hormone therapy in satisfying the treatment goals of children with idiopathic short stature.

Physicians who encounter a patient who is suffering from depression may find it necessary to breach confidentiality and patient autonomy in order to act in the best interest of the patient.