Physicians’ ethical obligations to disclose conflicts of interest to patients and to obtain their informed consent for treatment are particularly critical when proposed treatments are experimental.

Medical technology presents a new ethical question in the case of a patient with a left ventricular assist device who, when informed that he has pneumonia and is ineligible for a heart transplant, asks that the LVAD be turned off.

Medical technology presents a new ethical question in the case of a patient with a left ventricular assist device who, when informed that he has pneumonia and is ineligible for a heart transplant, asks that the LVAD be turned off.

Physicians should practice bias-reduction strategies in their treatment plans for and attitudes toward overweight and obese patients.

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.

Physicians should understand the ethical issues surrounding assisting patients who receive Medicare- and Medicaid-funded health care.

Physicians should understand the ethical issues surrounding assisting patients who receive Medicare- and Medicaid-funded health care.

Physicians new to a case might object to an established care plan. Practice variation, clinical momentum, and how value is assigned by different parties to acute care and comfort measures can each contribute to conflict in these cases.

Physicians must maintain a delicate balance between patient autonomy and preventing harm when faced with patients who refuse treatment.

Physicians must maintain a delicate balance between patient autonomy and preventing harm when faced with patients who refuse treatment.