The impact of DTCA on patients' expectations and PAs' responsibility to provide bioethical treatment are reviewed.

Patient autonomy does not always transcend to health care workers. The author makes a case for patient safety to be an overruling factor.

A complex patient case illustrates a range of societal and clinical biases and the impact these biases can have on patient care.

Service on an ethics committee allows PAs to learn how to apply bioethical principles, and it allows their colleagues to learn more about PAs.

The case of a man with lifelong allergies suggests that a placebo, used honestly and openly, may be a useful therapeutic tool.

In a previous installment of this column, we discussed the duty to treat in times of health and safety disasters. Does the same duty to treat exist when personal threat, abuse, and possible injury are being committed by a member of your patient's family?

The team at the clinic faced a dilemma. Should they remove the DBS because it was contributing to the difficulties with nursing home placement? Or should they refuse to remove the DBS because it eased Mrs. D.'s symptoms, even though this would increase the burden of care on her family?

Guadalupe Benitez had been with her same-sex partner for many years. They wanted to start a family, but Ms. Benitez had fertility problems due to polycystic ovarian syndrome. Her primary care physician referred her to an infertility clinic, which had the exclusive contract to provide infertility services for members of her insurance plan.

The PA asks, "May I place the IV and be present at Mr. Y's execution? Is it unethical to do this?

Mr. James is a 98-year-old single gentleman living with his 92-year-old brother in a one-bedroom apartment. Should Mr. James be placed in a nursing home against his will, and if so, how?