AMA Journal of Ethics theme editor Terri Davis, a third-year MD student at West Virginia University School of Medicine, interviewed Ranit Mishori, MD, about how to respond to incidents of suspected human trafficking in health care settings.

Drs Oliva Kates and Monica Gandhi join Ethics Talk to discuss equity and public health messaging in ending the HIV epidemic.

Physicians caring for trafficking victims should know about applicable criminal and human rights law and mandatory reporting requirements.

Medical malpractice pits the legal system's ethics of client advocacy against the medical profession's ethics of patient advocacy. Fear of liability may lead to defensive medicine, an aberration of both professions' intent.

Medical tourism creates an ethical dilemma for domestic physicians who wish to provide continuity of care but avoid liability in a malpractice suit.

Clinical judgment and experience often trump evidence-based practice guidelines in physicians' medical decision-making process.

Clinical judgment and experience often trump evidence-based practice guidelines in physicians' medical decision-making process.

Patients need to be aware that they are fully responsible for disclosing a complete medical history, and physicians may not be liable for damages if they do not comply.

Studies show that clinical practice guidelines, used by an accused physician or by patients alleging a breach of standard care, have an impact on case outcomes.

Lack of ethical, legal, and clinical consensus about best practice sometimes combines with a poor clinical evidence base.