In some cases, hope might not have substantial ethical or therapeutic value.

Off-label prescribing of drugs is appropriate when their use is in the patient’s best interest on the basis of credible, published scientific data.

Women with intellectual disabilities should not be sedated for a pap smear without their assent, and the test’s risks and benefits should be weighed.

A guardian’s request to sterilize a woman with intellectual disabilities is not ethically justifiable unless the woman assents and it is to her benefit.

Women with intellectual disabilities should not be sedated for a pap smear without their assent, and the test’s risks and benefits should be weighed.

Physicians should provide women considering abortion after Down syndrome screening with unbiased information and not attempt to influence their decision.

Amendments to the Common Rule and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) raise questions about broad consent and sale of health data.

Alternatives to suing could help open communication between injured patients and clinicians.

Expedited partner therapy is an ethical and effective treatment for sexually transmitted infection, provided patients are reliable messengers to partners.

Undocumented immigrants treated with isoniazid (INH) for latent tuberculosis infection should be covered for transplant for INH-related liver failure.