Scott Schweikart joins Ethics Talk to discuss his article: “AMA Code of Medical Ethics’ Opinions Related to Clinicians in Government.”

In the September 2014 issue on physicians as agents of social change, Dr. Audiey Kao, editor-in-chief of Virtual Mentor interviewed Dr. Rajiv Shah, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development or USAID.

The adverse health effects of climate change should be the focus of physician advocacy efforts and of conversations between physicians and their patients.

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.

Physicians need to become more involved in the public debate regarding issues of medicine, science, and evolution.

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.

Physicians should take part in public health advocacy to improve health care for all patients.

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.