Empathy seems to be on the side of the patient and family, but clinicians also need help in dealing with their feelings after they make a mistake.

What are the ethical obligations of health care providers? Since auditors look to the medical record to validate billing, providers are expected to document thoroughly and completely on every case.

The evidence is consistent: Clinicians believe that their colleagues' prescribing behaviors are impacted by interactions with drug representatives but that their own practices are not. Unfortunately, they are wrong.

The issue of gift giving by patients requires more study, and medical communities would benefit from a sustained effort to examine the complex issues involved in accepting gifts from patients.

As medical and public health professionals, PAs are sworn to do no harm, but the varied ways to obtain consent for HIV testing challenge this oath.

Ethical principles say that health care providers should not treat family members, but many do so anyway. Careful reflection can help to produce a good outcome.

Given that the potential for abuse is considerable, the authors suggest that a policy of minimally restraining patients, increased training, and optimizing restraint alternatives is vital to prevent unethical practice.

Research does not offer any clear support for or against this practice, making this a difficult decision for both the patient's family and the clinician.

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.