Medical ethics is a topic of increased importance in the new undergraduate curriculum and this textbook will provide the only resource published in the UK which is aimed specifically at medical students, rather than experienced practitioners. Realistic case studies introduce the discussion in each chapter - highly suitable for case based courses - while there is practical coverage of all the issues likely to be of concern to students during their medical careers. This includes informed consent and refusal of treatment, confidentiality, euthanasia, advanced directives, negligence and malpractice, the new genetics, abortion and the rationing of health care.

Contents

Introduction.
Ethical theories.
Clinical relationships.
Rights of patients, practitioners and society.
Accountability.
The end of life.
The value of life: who decides and how?
Medical audit and medical research.
Human reproduction and new reproductive technologies.
Rationing and rationality: issues in scarce resource allocation.