AMA Journal of Ethics^®

Targeted dosing to treat pediatric inflammatory bowel disease is challenging because dosing guidelines are based on data gathered from adult subjects of clinical trials. Patients’ families and health care organizations also incur high costs and must try to balance potential benefits against risks of ongoing monitoring.

When prescribing antibiotics, physicians should weigh individual benefit against both environmental and community harms.

Risks of off-label medication to treat aggression should be balanced with consequences of not responding to social factors.

Clinicians can be patient advocates, resource stewards, and promote good financial choices about care.